Club directors warn the Argentina international is “worth a lot” and “not for sale”
Atletico Madrid have brutally shut down speculation surrounding Julian Alvarez, with club president Enrique Cerezo insisting the Argentine forward will not be sold despite reported interest from Barcelona.
The Catalans have been linked with the 26-year-old striker as they consider long-term options to replace Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to leave the club when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
Cerezo said that Alvarez remains central to Atletico’s plans and is not available for transfer under any circumstances.
“He’s an Atletico Madrid player and he has a contract with us,” Cerezo said. “He’s worth a lot because he’s with us, and he is not for sale.”
Atletico’s director of football Mateu Alemany also dismissed talk of a transfer for the Argentine when he insisted that “Not a word on Julian Alvarez” had been said as directors from both clubs met during the second leg of Atletico’s Copa del Rey semi-final game with Barcelona. “His name hasn’t come out and it won’t,” Alemany said.
Alvarez has been a key figure for Diego Simeone’s side since he joined from Manchester City in 2024, although he has had a difficult second season when compared to his first.
Last term he produced 29 goals and eight assists in 57 appearances. This season he has found the net 14 times and provided six assists in 29 games so far.
Atletico defeated Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate to reach their first Cop del Rey final since 2013, where they will face Real Sociedad. They could be winning their first silverware under Diego Simeone since they won La Liga in 2021.
