Julián Álvarez to meet Simeone as Atlético keep exit door shut | OneFootball

Julián Álvarez will meet Diego Simeone on Wednesday, with Atlético Madrid adamant he stays put until 2030 and will not be sold to Barcelona.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the striker rejoined two days ago, passed his medical and trained under fitness coach Luis Piñedo. On Tuesday he worked twice, arriving at 11:35 with agent Sergio Díaz, then at 17:00 with Fernando Hidalgo.

Talk in Barcelona that Atlético had stood him up was undercut by the club’s pre-planned schedule. After landing in Madrid from Seoul on Monday morning, Simeone and the squad were given two days off, the coach flew to Ibiza and late arrivals trained with club staff.

On 22 June, during the last World Cup, Álvarez said a transfer would be best for both sides and that he wanted to fulfil his dream, seen as a wish to wear Barcelona’s colours. He is tied to Atlético until 2030 with a €500 million clause, and has avoided naming Barça to avert a lawsuit or a UEFA complaint.

In Seoul, Simeone moved on from those remarks, praising Álvarez’s sporting value and saying the staff would help him keep improving, while stressing the club’s decision had already been set out by Miguel Ángel Gil Marín.

Gil Marín has ruled out a sale, saying Atlético would reject €100, €150 or €200 million and that he expects Álvarez to score goals and win titles for the club. Atlético have also filed a complaint to the RFEF over alleged Barcelona talks, with a disciplinary case opened and still unresolved.

With Gil Marín still on holiday, Simeone will not offer an exit, only tell the forward to train with the group and honour his deal. Álvarez remains in an awkward spot, Atlético hold the leverage and Barcelona are already exploring other options.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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