Alvarez returns to Atletico training amid Barcelona, Arsenal transfer links

Julian Alvarez has returned to Atletico Madrid ⁠⁠training amid continuing speculation about Barcelona’s pursuit of the Argentinian forward.

Alvarez missed Atletico’s three ⁠⁠group sessions late last week because of what the club described as “an indisposition”, before training ⁠⁠alone at Majadahonda on Friday afternoon and returning to train with the squad on Sunday.

He was left out of the squad for Saturday’s 3-1 win at Sevilla, a result that briefly shifted attention back to ‌‌the pitch.

“The plan is crystal clear. Julian had a few days where he wasn’t feeling well. Yesterday he trained, and we hope he’ll be back in action quickly and be available for the next La Liga match. I’ve been ⁠⁠speaking to him as normal,” ⁠⁠Mateu Alemany, Atletico’s director of men’s professional football, told reporters before the Sevilla match.

The La Liga transfer window closes on Tuesday, and ⁠⁠the situation remains tense.

Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin accused ⁠⁠Barcelona of dishonesty last week and ⁠⁠said Alvarez would never be sold to them.

“There has not been and there will not be any negotiation with them [Barcelona] regarding Alvarez’s transfer,” Atletico’s board of directors said in the statement.

“Atletico de Madrid is open to standard transfer market negotiations when conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner,” the statement added.

“We fully stand behind the club’s previously communicated position that FC Barcelona failed to meet these requirements and, as a result, there will not be ⁠⁠any negotiation and there is zero consideration of an ⁠⁠Alvarez transfer to Barcelona.”

British media reports said Arsenal is the only viable alternative ‌‌should the Premier League club make an offer of about 150 million euros ($174m).

Alvarez said during the World ‌‌Cup ‌‌that he “wanted to fulfil his dream” of playing for Barcelona.