Julian Alvarez has begun following Atletico de Madrid’s individually tailored training programme, despite continuing uncertainty over his future and speculation that he could challenge the club’s position by refusing to return for pre-season.
The Argentina striker is currently on holiday but has re-established contact with Atletico to start the fitness plan prepared for each international player. According to Marca, Alvarez has been working remotely from his holiday base since Saturday, 1 August, under the club’s guidance.
He is expected to complete the final days of his break by following Atletico’s instructions before returning to training on the 10th of this month and joining up with the squad.
Alvarez’s future has been one of the main transfer stories of the summer since he expressed a desire to leave Atletico de Madrid to fulfil his ambitions elsewhere.
Several reports have claimed that the 27-year-old wants to join Barcelona, who are looking for a centre-forward to replace Poland international Robert Lewandowski.
The situation has become increasingly complicated. Atletico have grown frustrated by what they regard as the tactics being used to persuade Alvarez to remain at Barcelona, and the club ultimately submitted complaints to the Spanish Football Federation and FIFA.
Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin has also publicly stated that the club would not accept any offer from Barcelona. That position has left Alvarez facing a difficult choice as he considers the next stage of his career.
He could remain with Atletico and risk facing the anger of supporters who believe the club has been insulted during the transfer dispute. Alternatively, he could ask the club’s hierarchy to consider an offer from abroad, potentially forcing a change in Atletico’s stance.
The Premier League is no longer thought to be among Alvarez’s preferred destinations after his experience with Manchester City. Remaining in La Liga has been his favoured option, but an attractive proposal from outside Spain could alter the situation.
There had been speculation that Alvarez might take a confrontational step by missing training. Such an extreme pressure tactic has not been completely ruled out, given the advice he has received from his agents about managing the risks involved.
However, his decision to begin following Atletico’s training instructions suggests that his return will take place normally, despite the unresolved disagreement.
Another question is how the collapse of a possible move to Barcelona would affect Alvarez’s performances. Atletico do not doubt that his conduct will remain exemplary and professional, as it was from his first day at the club.
The Madrid side would prefer to put the dispute behind them and continue with Alvarez wearing their red-and-white shirt. Yet uncertainty remains, particularly if a substantial offer from the Premier League arrives at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Such a bid could force Atletico to reconsider their decision to keep their star forward, while Alvarez continues to believe that a transfer would be the best move for his future.
For now, amid the uncertainty surrounding his next step, the only clear development is that the “Spider” is training under Atletico’s supervision – even if he is doing so from a distance.
