According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Atletico Madrid will not allow Alvarez to join Barcelona, while his move to Arsenal is also uncertain due to disagreements among the three parties.

Álvarez privately requested to leave at the end of last season and publicly stated during the World Cup that he hoped to leave that summer. Fans at the Civitas Metropolitano also expressed their dissatisfaction with boos, but the Argentine forward is currently unlikely to depart. On one hand, Atletico Madrid's top management, led by Miguel Ángel Gil and including Enrique Cerezo and Mateu Alemany, has made clear that his dream of joining Barcelona cannot be realized unless Barcelona pays his €500 million release clause. On the other hand, although Arsenal has been explored as an option, no progress is expected in the short term due to concerns from all parties. Therefore, unless an unexpected twist occurs in the final week of the transfer window, Álvarez will have no choice but to turn the situation around and continue playing for Atletico Madrid.

Simeone already stated during his first press conference in Seoul this season that, since the club had decided not to let Alvarez leave, he would help him regain his best form on the pitch. His teammates have also expressed their support, with Oblak speaking on behalf of the locker room and saying that everyone would back Julian until his last day in an Atletico Madrid shirt. The club is also working to restore his daily routine. After last Sunday's match, it advised him not to approach the stands to greet the fans in order to avoid further widespread booing. Currently, the only precedent for the Argentine escaping his predicament appears to be Griezmann's path of winning back the fans' forgiveness through his performances on the field.

Álvarez already knows that the Barcelona path is not viable and understands that only Arsenal might get him out of Atletico Madrid. However, he has no interest in any club other than Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid are dissatisfied with Arsenal's current offer. Moving forward, even if boos continue at the Civitas Metropolitano and his dream of joining Barcelona cannot be fulfilled, his preference remains to play in Spain. He has experience at Man City and is unwilling to return to the Premier League, citing the inconveniences of life in Britain and visa issues affecting his family's ability to join him.

Similarly, although Arteta would welcome him, contacts between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have never reached an agreement. On one hand, Arsenal have never offered more than €150 million, while Real Madrid were willing to pay that amount. On the other hand, Arsenal have never approved the plan to include Gyökeres in the deal. Therefore, Atletico Madrid maintains its position, determined to keep Alvarez.

Final-week pressure

Currently, Fernando Hidalgo's efforts to move Alvarez to Barcelona have been unsuccessful, but with one week remaining until the transfer window closes, his future will still make headlines. Not through the Barcelona route, but because the advisor, who has faced heavy criticism from Atletico Madrid, does not rule out continuing to have the player's agent push the Arsenal option. However, Atletico Madrid's management is clear: Alvarez will not be leaving.

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