News Focus
- Atletico Madrid Sporting Director Mateu Alemany is prepared to sell Julian Alvarez this summer
- The Argentine striker has attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona
- A major sale would help fund several new arrivals at the Metropolitano
- The club previously denied Alvarez was available and offered him improved terms
- Barcelona now consider the deal impossible and have turned their attention to Joao Pedro
Julian Alvarez could leave Atletico Madrid during the summer transfer window. The club’s Sporting Director, Mateu Alemany, is now open to offers for the Argentine forward. This marks a change from their earlier stance.
Sources close to Cadena SER suggest Alemany views Alvarez as a valuable asset. Selling him would provide the money needed to sign multiple players. The team wants to strengthen several positions before next season.
Alvarez moved to the Spanish capital from Manchester City and has a strong bond with manager Diego Simeone. However, representatives of the player have been vocal about his future. They have sparked rumours of a move away from the capital.
Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as the leading candidates to secure his signature. Barcelona were previously keen on the World Cup winner but have shifted their focus. They now target Chelsea’s Joao Pedro instead. The Catalan giants also believe a deal for Alvarez is financially impossible.
The potential sale makes sense for Atletico financially. New majority shareholders Apollo Sports will not significantly increase the transfer budget. By selling to PSG rather than Barcelona, Atletico would avoid helping a direct competitor. They could also demand a higher transfer fee from the French champions.
Barcelona had hoped to use Ferran Torres in a swap deal. This idea did not please Alvarez. Now, Barcelona plan to offer Torres a new contract rather than sell him.