Julian Alvarez’s discomfort with Diego Simeone reportedly grows as coach is considered ‘only person to unblock’ Barcelona move
Julian Alvarez and his entourage's discomfort with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has reportedly grown as the coach is considered the "only person who could unblock" his potential move to FC Barcelona. Julian Alvarez‘s transfer saga has developed into one of the marquee storylines of 2026, with the player repeatedly expressing his intention to join FC Barcelona, even as Atletico Madrid maintain an unyielding stance against a departure. Having reunited with his teammates and coaching staff in Madrid, Alvarez’s frustration toward Diego “Cholo” Simeone has reportedly intensified, as the manager is viewed as the “only person to unblock” the striker’s situation. On Monday, Alvarez reported to Atletico Madrid alongside several teammates to undergo routine pre-campaign medical evaluations. By Wednesday, it was time for the striker to return to training, roughly two months after publicly declaring during the World Cup that “the best decision was to seek an exit” from the club. With Alvarez remaining fixated on joining FC Barcelona, the Colchoneros have refused to budge, as board members and CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin reiterate that the forward will remain an Atletico Madrid player for the 2026–27 campaign under a contract that runs through June 2030. On Monday, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported that Alvarez informed the club “not to count on him” moving forward, as his sole priority is finalizing a transfer to Barcelona. He was initially unable to speak directly with executive leadership or Simeone while the manager was away in Ibiza, but a eventual sit-down took place Wednesday, leaving the player dissatisfied with the outcome. Diego Simeone, Head Coach of Atletico de Madrid, interacts with Julian Alvarez after being subbed off. (Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) Alvarez and Simeone hold tense, unresolved sit-down Upon returning to team facilities on Wednesday, Alvarez and Simeone held a meeting prior to the scheduled training session. According to Argentina transfer insider Cesar Luis Merlo, the forward reiterated his desire to sign with Barcelona during the 2026 summer transfer window. Frame-by-frame, Alvarez explained to his manager that joining Barcelona would allow him to “fulfill a dream,” emphasizing that the Catalan club’s tactical style aligns best with his skill set. However, Simeone echoed his previous stance, stating that any transfer decision rests entirely with executive leadership, while reaffirming his own commitment to helping the striker develop at Atletico. Last week during a press conference in Seoul, Simeone was asked about Alvarez’s future and offered a firm response: “The situation is very clear, the club made a decision that Miguel Angel explained very well. We’re very happy with Julian, and from a sporting standpoint we’ll help him keep growing.“ Alvarez’s inner circle, including agents Fernando Hidalgo and Sergio Diaz, who are actively seeking transfer avenues, were reportedly left deeply frustrated by the conversation. According to Merlo, Alvarez’s camp view Simeone as an influential figure who possesses the leverage to push front-office executives into approving a deal, rather than serving merely as a tactical advisor.
