Barcelona transfer news: Julian Alvarez update provided after unsavoury scenes at Metropolitano Stadium

By Matt Law | 24 Aug 2026 09:12

"The club decided to keep him away" - Simeone delivers Alvarez update amid Barca talk

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has said that the decision for Julian Alvarez to head straight down the tunnel after Sunday's 2-2 draw with Villarreal was made by the club.

Alvarez said earlier this summer that he wants to leave Atletico, and Barcelona have long been regarded as the favourites for the Argentina international.

However, senior figures at Atletico have insisted on multiple occasions in recent weeks that the forward will not be leaving the Red and Whites during the summer market.

Alvarez was booed by large sections of the Atletico fans while warming up against Villarreal, and he then received a fierce reception upon entering the field in the 66th minute.

After the game, which finished 2-2, the Atletico players addressed the crowd, thanking them for the support, but Alvarez was seen heading straight down the tunnel.

Barcelona transfer news: Alvarez continues to push for Atletico exit

Simeone has said that the decision was made by the club.

"People at the club told me that the club had decided he shouldn’t go near the stands or the fans. The club decided to keep him away and separate him so that he could go to the changing rooms," Simeone told reporters.

"It’s not my place to give advice. I have to focus on my job, which is to give my all on the pitch.

“If we want to win a title, we need to stick together, have strikers and have top-class strikers. We all need to work hard on what’s required.

“I’m not going to answer all of Julian’s questions. I understand the concern and we can talk about what happened in the match."

Alvarez 'wants' Barcelona move despite Arsenal interest

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Alvarez, and it is understood that the Argentine has made it clear that he wants to join the reigning La Liga champions.

However, Alvarez has allegedly not completely ruled out a return to English football following his previous spell at Manchester City.

Alvarez's release clause is €500m (£432m), and Atletico suggested earlier this summer that interested parties would have to pay that amount to sign him, with no discounts available.