Barcelona target turns to Atletico Madrid captains in attempt to unlock transfer – report | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid came out with a public statement earlier today reaffirming their stance that Julian Alvarez will not be sold to Barcelona this summer.

Despite Los Colchoneros making their position crystal clear and doubling down on it ahead of deadline day, Barça are continuing to push to sign the Argentine striker.

Now, according to Jijantes (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Alvarez has turned to the Atletico captains, Koke, Jan Oblak and Jose Maria Gimenez, in the hope that they can help him unlock the transfer.

Alvarez seeks help to leave

The 26-year-old’s request represents another significant development with only days remaining before the transfer window closes.

However, any intervention from the dressing room appears unlikely to change matters for now.

Julian Alvarez is pushing to leave Atletico Madrid and moving to Barcelona. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Diego Simeone is said to have informed the squad that Alvarez’s future is a matter for the club hierarchy.

The Atletico manager’s message was effectively that the players cannot intervene in a decision being made above them.

That leaves Alvarez facing the same fundamental obstacle that has complicated Barça’s pursuit since the start of the summer.

Second consecutive training absence

The development also comes as Alvarez has missed Atletico training for a second consecutive day.

Atletico have attributed both absences to the forward feeling unwell and said that he did not travel to the ground after suffering a difficult night.

There is no indication that his absence is a deliberate attempt to force a transfer, and the player has not come out and said anything to that effect.

Julian Alvarez has missed Atletico training for the second consecutive day. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Regardless, every passing day is turning this already complicated transfer saga into something uglier.

Moreover, it does feel like there are no more bridges left to burn between Barcelona and Atletico after the way the latter have dealt with the Alvarez situation.

All Barça can do is wait

After looking at striker alternatives throughout the summer, Barça decided a couple of days ago to wait for Alvarez or sign no one this summer.

What this allows them to do is keep pushing until deadline day to try to sign the Argentine from Atletico, should they change their mind.

However, having put out so many public statements, it would be extremely baffling to see Los Colchoneros soften their stance now.

Unless something drastic happens in the coming days, it feels almost certain that Alvarez will not join Barça, and it remains to be seen where this saga goes from here.