Julian Alvarez’s future at Atletico Madrid has been thrown into fresh doubt after claims that the Spanish club could approach Barcelona about a January move for the Argentina forward.
The transfer window has closed, but Alvarez remains at the centre of considerable speculation. According to Sport, comments made by journalist Jose Alvarez on the television programme El Chiringuito have revived the possibility of a high-profile winter transfer.
Jose Alvarez said he had received a clear message from people close to the player, who reportedly believe Alvarez no longer wants to continue playing for Atletico Madrid.
“The idea conveyed by Alvarez’s entourage is decisive: he does not want to play for Atletico Madrid again,” Jose Alvarez said during the live broadcast. “The situation will become unsustainable from now until January. Julian’s entourage believes Atletico will be the club to offer Julian to Barca in the winter transfer market.”
The report suggests Barcelona could have sufficient room within financial fair play rules to complete a deal for the forward during the January window. Atletico, meanwhile, may be forced to consider selling Alvarez in order to raise funds for their own transfer plans.
According to this account, Atletico could eventually contact Barcelona directly and ask: “Do you want him?”
Jose Alvarez also indicated that the situation could reach a critical point because of the pressure surrounding the player, repeated weekly jeers from supporters and the mental fatigue Alvarez is said to be experiencing.
He claimed the 27-year-old would continue to face whistles from Atletico fans and would have no desire to remain at the Madrid club. That combination, he suggested, could leave Atletico with little choice but to sell, both to resolve the situation and to generate money for future signings.
“From now until January, watch out for the possibility that Atletico will be the ones picking up the phone, because the situation will become unsustainable,” Jose Alvarez added.
The journalist further claimed that new intermediaries had become involved in the potential operation. These individuals are said to have links with both Atletico and Barcelona and could influence how any negotiations develop.
The claims were also shared in a post promoting Jose Alvarez’s comments, which stated: “Julian’s entourage believes Atletico will be the club to offer Julian to Barca in January.” The same post said: “Barca have financial fair play room to sign him in the winter.”
No transfer has been confirmed, and the reports concern a possible development at the start of the next transfer window. Alvarez’s position at Atletico remains the focus of growing attention, with the player’s entourage, the club’s supporters and potential intermediaries all now reported to be factors in the situation.
