Julián Álvarez misses Atlético training citing illness as Barça focus solely on him | OneFootball

Julián Álvarez missed Atlético training on Wednesday, citing an indisposition six days before the 1 September deadline. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Argentine forward, under contract until 2030 and intent on joining Barça, has kept tensions high, and Barcelona remain hopeful despite the difficulties and growing pressure from his camp.

On Tuesday, Joan Laporta met Deco, Hansi Flick and adviser Alejandro Echevarría, agreeing Álvarez should be the club’s sole attacking target. If Atlético refuse to engage, they would be prepared to wait for the winter window should the market turn.

Álvarez and his entourage continue their stance. He does not, for now, want a Premier League return, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal the leading suitor. Barcelona have not lodged a new formal offer since their 100 million euros bid was mocked on Atlético’s social channels, and chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín’s resistance, viewing the saga as akin to blackmail, currently blocks any deal.

Diego Pablo Simeone now faces a problem given Álvarez’s state of mind. The striker was heavily booed on his Metropolitano return against Villarreal and, unsmiling, was urged by the club’s press officer to head off the pitch before team-mates greeted the crowd.

On 22 June during the World Cup, almost trembling, he asked to be transferred to realise his dream, and he remains in limbo. Atlético visit Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán on Saturday, with Álvarez still under the spotlight.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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