Atletico Madrid’s Argentine coach Diego Simeone attends a training session on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 4, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League league semifinal, second-leg football match against Arsenal. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Atletico Madrid will not allow forward Julian Alvarez to leave the club during the current transfer window despite interest from Barcelona, coach Diego Simeone said Saturday.
Last month, Atletico filed a complaint to FIFA over Barcelona allegedly tapping up Alvarez.
The Argentina international has also been linked with a possible move to Premier League champions Arsenal and was the subject of a rejected 150-million-euro ($173.4m) bid from Real Madrid in June.
“I think the situation is very clear. The club has made a decision that (CEO) Miguel Angel (Gil Marin) has explained very well,” Simeone told reporters ahead of a pre-season friendly against Manchester City in Seoul.
