Julián Álvarez remains one of Europe’s most closely watched forwards, with continued transfer speculation linking the Atlético Madrid striker to Barcelona and Arsenal. The Argentina international left Manchester City for Atlético in the summer of 2024, seeking a more prominent attacking role after competing with Erling Haaland for minutes at the Etihad Stadium.
Álvarez enjoyed considerable success during his two seasons at Manchester City, winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. He left the club with 36 goals and 19 assists in 103 appearances in all competitions. In the Premier League, he played 67 matches, scoring 20 goals and supplying eight assists.
Since moving to Atlético, Álvarez has been an important member of Diego Simeone’s squad rather than a peripheral option. As of August 2026, reports credited him with 49 goals and 17 assists in 107 matches for the Spanish club. He has played both as a central striker and in wider or deeper attacking roles, including alongside Alexander Sørloth.
Barcelona have maintained a long-standing interest in Álvarez, but the article’s quotation attributed to Ronald Araújo could not be verified from the available reporting and should not be presented as authentic without a direct source. Atlético have repeatedly indicated that they do not want to negotiate the forward’s sale, particularly to Barcelona, and have publicly maintained that he remains part of their plans.
Arsenal have also been linked with Álvarez, in part because sporting director Andrea Berta previously worked at Atlético Madrid and has existing knowledge of the club and player. Reports earlier in 2026 described Arsenal’s approach as informal enquiries intended to establish whether a future move might be possible, rather than confirmed club-to-club negotiations. Álvarez is contracted to Atlético until 2030, with reports placing his release clause at €500 million and suggesting that Atlético would demand well above €100 million even to consider a sale.
A potential move for Álvarez could affect Gabriel Jesus’s position at Arsenal, although the connection is speculative. Jesus’s contract runs until June 2027, and reporting in May said he wanted to remain in the Premier League. He scored six goals in 27 appearances for Arsenal after returning from an 11-month absence caused by an ACL injury. Later reports suggested Arsenal were open to an exit, but that is not the same as confirming a decision to sell him.
Álvarez would offer Arsenal a flexible attacking option because he can play as a centre-forward, support striker or advanced wide forward. However, there is no clear evidence that a transfer is close. Atlético’s public stance remains resistant to a sale, while Barcelona and Arsenal appear to be monitoring a complex and potentially very expensive situation.
