The image of Julian Alvarez walking alone off the Atletico Madrid pitch, his head bowed as his own team’s fans loudly jeered him, was the most striking yet of this summer’s biggest transfer saga.Following Atletico’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Sunday, their first home game of the new La Liga season, Diego Simeone’s players went together to salute supporters behind the stadium’s south goal.All went except Alvarez, who accepted advice from the club not to take part, after waves of anger had been sent in his direction from those upset by his publicly stated desire to join Barcelona.The indignation from Atletico’s fans fits with a firm stance that the club’s hierarchy has taken since the end of May. That was when Barcelona said they made a €100million (£85.7m; $116.4m) offer for Alvarez. Atletico have denied receiving any such bid.If you think that’s unusual, Atletico’s response to reports of Barca’s proposal was even more so. They posted a series of fantastical transfer news updates on their social media pages, including a swap deal for Lamine Yamal that involved Bad Bunny concert tickets and “a bag of sunflower seeds”.
Así reaccionó el Metropolitano al regreso de Julián Álvarez. 🔊🔥#LALIGAenDAZN⚽️ pic.twitter.com/KvQctofaSk
