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Julian Alvarez's agent fired back at Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, after the executive's comments about the forward's advisers. Julian Alvarez‘s representative fired back at Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, escalating the growing tension between the club and the Argentine forward’s camp amid ongoing transfer speculation. The exchange stemmed from comments Gil Marin made to EFE, in which he insisted Atletico Madrid have no intention of letting Alvarez leave. “We have to understand that Julian has not had the best advisers around him regarding his professional career in recent months,” the Atletico Madrid CEO said, a remark widely read as a direct dig at the forward’s entourage. Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, responded within hours on Instagram, without naming Gil Marin directly. “Never ask a liar why he lied. To explain it, he would have to lie again,” Hidalgo wrote, a pointed rebuttal that has only intensified the public rift between the two sides. The spat comes against the backdrop of months of speculation over Alvarez’s future. The forward is under contract with Atletico Madrid until 2030 and carries a €500 million release clause, and while Arsenal recently emerged as a suitor, Alvarez himself reportedly turned down a move to the Premier League club, reportedly still holding out hope for a transfer to Barcelona. Este domingo, partido disfrutón ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/tYg5xUcRBx— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 22, 2026 Julian Alvarez set for his LaLiga season debut Amid the ongoing tension with the club, Julian Alvarez is expected to make his 2026-27 LaLiga debut when Atletico Madrid host Villarreal on August 23. The Argentine was left out of the squad entirely for the Matchday 1 win over Malaga, with Simeone citing his fitness level after a demanding run with Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. Simeone confirmed in a Saturday press conference that Alvarez would be included in the squad to face Villarreal. “Yes, he will enter tomorrow’s call-up, he’s better in his preparation. We will try to manage the difficult match tomorrow against a great rival“. The confirmation puts an end, at least for now, to speculation over whether the ongoing tension with Gil Marin’s camp would affect Alvarez’s playing time.
Following a tense situation between Julian Alvarez and the Atletico Madrid fanbase, coach Diego Simeone came out to clear things up ahead of the match against Villarreal. Diego Simeone returned to face reporters and moved to clarify his previous comments after being accused of tacitly backing the hostile treatment Julian Alvarez has received from a section of Atletico Madrid’s fanbase. “I want to finish the sentence I started at the last press conference, where I said I respected the fans. That’s absolute, it’s always been that way, but obviously I don’t support insults or abuse. Let that be clear. Any word right now, when people are waiting for that kind of division, can generate conflict and uncertainty,” Simeone said during a press conference. The controversy traces back to Atletico’s LaLiga opener against Malaga, when Alvarez wasn’t included in the squad, due to not being fully fit physically, and didn’t attend the match to support his teammates. A section of supporters responded with chants directed at the absent forward during the 2-0 win, and Simeone’s initial response, saying only that he respected the fans, was widely interpreted as siding with them rather than defending his player. Mañana, Villarreal. 💪 pic.twitter.com/F4yQKUgu4J— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 22, 2026 Before wrapping up, Simeone confirmed Alvarez will be included in the squad for Sunday’s match against Villarreal. “Yes, he’s going to be in the squad. He’s in better shape physically,” the coach said, setting up what could be Alvarez’s first minutes since the World Cup amid all the surrounding controversy. Simeone reaffirms Atletico’s stance on Alvarez’s future The Argentine coach also reaffirmed the club’s stance on Alvarez’s future, aligning himself with comments made by club official Miguel Ángel Gil Marín. “The uncertainties aren’t there. Miguel Ángel spoke clearly. For me, he’s an extremely important player for us to reach our sporting objectives. We’re going to be with him, we’re going to take care of him from a sporting standpoint. Why? Because he’s our player. As long as he’s at Atletico, I’m going to take care of him,” he added. The comments leave little doubt that, at least publicly, Atletico‘s hierarchy is presenting a united front on Alvarez’s situation, coach and club officials alike insisting he remains central to their plans regardless of how the transfer saga with Barcelona has played out.
After a win over Malaga in their season opener, Atletico Madrid will host Villarreal on Sunday, with Julian Alvarez set to return. The post Simeone vows to ‘look after’ Alvarez as he rejoins Atletico squad appeared first on SoccerNews.
Amid stalled talks with Barcelona, Arsenal reportedly made contact with Atletico Madrid over Julian Alvarez. Arsenal have made direct contact with Atletico Madrid to discuss potential conditions for a Julian Alvarez deal, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. A meeting took place in London with Atleti director Mateu Alemany, marking one of the clearest signs yet that the Premier League champions are serious about pursuing the Argentine forward before the transfer window closes. Price remains the biggest obstacle standing in the way of any agreement. Arsenal have reportedly tabled an opening bid of £103 million plus £4 million in add-ons, but Atletico are said to be holding out for around £129 million, a gap that leaves the two clubs far from an agreement despite the direct talks. Even if the financial terms are eventually bridged, Alvarez’s own stance complicates matters further. The forward has yet to open the door to a move to England, having made clear that Barcelona remains his only real preference amid the ongoing transfer saga. However, talks with Barcelona appear to have hit a dead end, after Atletico Madrid rejected their offer for the player, making clear he wouldn’t be sold. 🚨🔴⚪️ Arsenal made contact with Atlético Madrid to discuss Julián Álvarez deal conditions.Direct meeting took place in London with Atléti director Mateu Alemany.Price currently too high + Julián never opened doors to England so far as wanted to join Barça… but #AFC tried.… pic.twitter.com/gvUTsmQfMR— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2026 Atletico’s stance seems to be that they won’t sell the forward to a direct rival, having also rejected an offer from Real Madrid for Alvarez. That leaves Diego Simeone’s team potentially selling the Argentine to England instead, though his departure wouldn’t come cheap for Arsenal. Atletico Madrid fans make their frustration with Alvarez clear The tension between Alvarez and a section of Atletico’s fanbase escalated further on Friday morning, when banners appeared outside the club’s training facility in Majadahonda. One read simply “Julián out“, while another played on traffic sign imagery to read “19 forbidden“, a reference to Alvarez’s shirt number. 🚨 𝗔 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗧𝗟𝗘́𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗢 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦… 📷️Atlético Madrid fans have put up signs outside the club’s training complex this morning with a clear message for Julián Alvarez: “𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗜𝗔́𝗡 𝗙𝗨𝗘𝗥𝗔” (Julián OUT) and “𝟭𝟵🚫” 👀 pic.twitter.com/HEuE92ZxbY— 433 (@433) August 21, 2026 It’s the latest sign that the relationship between the forward and Atletico’s supporters has deteriorated significantly, following chants directed at him during LaLiga opener against Malaga.
KIERAN GILL: Fernandez is still the subject of interest from Manchester City , but that has yet to lead to a formal bid from Enzo Maresca 's side.
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