Julián Álvarez took a new step toward achieving his desire to move to Barcelona, having informed Diego Simeone directly that he wants to leave Atlético Madrid this summer. However, the Spanish club’s position remains unchanged so far.
The Argentine striker’s conversation with his coach came after another meeting with sporting director Mateu Alemany, making the player’s desire officially known to all parties. Meanwhile, Atlético insists on keeping him and categorically refuses to allow him to join a local rival.
What Happened Between Julián Álvarez and Simeone?
According to journalist José Álvarez, Julián held an approximately 10-minute meeting with Simeone before Wednesday’s training session, telling him that he wants to leave and play for Barcelona.
The report explained that the Argentine coach was already aware of his compatriot’s desire but referred him to Atlético’s management, as they are responsible for making the decision. Simeone informed him that his help would be strictly limited to sporting matters on the pitch.
Simeone’s answer was not fully accepted by Julián’s camp, who considered it an attempt to buy time, especially since the sporting relationship between the player and his coach hasn’t been at its best recently.
According to the same source, the Argentine striker’s camp relies on a promise received last February from the management and Simeone to facilitate his departure if he insisted on a new experience. They believe this promise should be fulfilled now by allowing him to negotiate a transfer to Barcelona.
On the other hand, Cadena SER described the meeting as calm and without reproaches, confirming that Simeone told the player he is counting on him for the new season and that his role is limited to helping him on the pitch, while the decision to sell remains a matter between Julián and the club’s board.
Alemany Tells Julián: The Door to Barcelona is Closed
Simeone’s meeting was preceded by another encounter between Julián and Mateu Alemany on Tuesday, during which the player reiterated his desire to leave, but the sporting director’s response was much more decisive.
According to Cadena SER, the content of Alemany’s message to the Argentine striker was clear: “You are not going to Barcelona; the club’s position is firm, and we are counting on you this season.”
As of now, Julián does not intend to rebel or boycott training to force a move, as he returned to work normally with the group. The next step will be holding new talks with the board of directors, and possibly with CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, to try and find a way out of the crisis.
The player had announced his stance last June, saying: “The best thing for all parties is to complete a transfer, and I want to fulfill my dream.” However, he realizes that his desire alone won’t be enough, given his contract runs until the summer of 2030 and includes a €500 million release clause.
Why is Atlético Being Stubborn Against Barcelona?
Atlético’s refusal is not only related to the financial value but also to the identity of the club wanting to sign the player. The management believes that transferring one of the team’s most important attacking assets to a direct rival in Spain would represent a massive sporting loss, especially after Antoine Griezmann’s departure and Simeone’s need to build his project around Julián.
Gil Marín previously confirmed his club’s stance, saying: “We don’t want to sell him, and we won’t accept 100, 150, or 200 million euros.” He also stressed that Barcelona president Joan Laporta knows Julián will not move to the Catalan club, according to the EFE agency.
The relationship between the two clubs has grown tense over the way Barcelona approached the deal. Atlético accused them of contacting the entourage of a player on a long-term contract, leading the Spanish Football Federation to open an exceptional disciplinary proceeding to investigate the matter. Conversely, Barcelona maintains it committed no wrongdoing.
The situation has also revived sensitivities over previous deals between the two sides, primarily Griezmann’s move to Barcelona—an experience Atlético’s management has no desire to repeat with a player they consider the cornerstone of the team’s future.
