Arsenal-linked Julian Alvarez received a hostile reception from sections of the Atletico Madrid support on Sunday as speculation continues over the Argentine striker’s future.
The 26-year-old started Atletico’s 2-2 La Liga draw against Villarreal on the bench, but it was his introduction in the 66th minute that became one of the major talking points of the evening.
According to GOAL, loud boos and whistles could be heard when Alvarez’s name and image appeared inside the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, with some supporters also directing chants towards the forward while he warmed up.
For Arsenal supporters keeping an eye on his situation, the reaction provides another interesting development with the transfer window approaching its conclusion.
Alvarez continues to be linked with Arsenal
Alvarez has been linked with both Arsenal and Barcelona this summer amid questions over his future in Madrid.
The report states that the forward has discussed his situation with Diego Simeone and is open to exploring his options, although Atletico have shown no willingness to make his departure straightforward.
The Spanish club’s position is particularly significant. Alvarez has a reported €500 million (£428m) release clause, which clearly bears no resemblance to a realistic transfer valuation but leaves Atletico in a very strong negotiating position.
Arsenal’s name continuing to feature in the speculation will inevitably attract attention. Alvarez is a proven goalscorer at the highest level and already knows English football from his time with Manchester City.
However, interest and an achievable transfer are two very different things, particularly if Atletico remain determined to keep him.
Could the supporters’ reaction change the situation?
Alvarez was unable to make much of an impact after replacing Marc Pubill against Villarreal, with the game eventually finishing 2-2.
Perhaps more interesting was what happened afterwards. The reports suggests that Alvarez headed straight from the pitch following the final whistle while his Atletico teammates remained behind to acknowledge the home support.
One hostile reception does not mean Atletico will suddenly decide to sell one of their leading players, nor does it mean Arsenal are about to make their move.
Nevertheless, a strained relationship between a player and sections of his own fanbase is hardly ideal this close to the transfer deadline.
If Alvarez genuinely wants to consider a move away from Madrid, Sunday’s events may only intensify the questions surrounding his future.
For Arsenal, the situation is certainly one worth watching as the final days of the summer window approach.
Would Julian Alvarez be the signing to take Arsenal’s attack to another level, and how much would you realistically be prepared to pay for him? Let us know in the comments.
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I think this deal is being done to be honest, and we have little choice but back MA and our club and get behind it.
I’m not sure he’s ever really wanted to come back to England and play for Arsenal.
I am pretty sure he is not the flying Barcola or Williams left winger so many Arsenal fans think he is – he doesn’t play out there for Argentina or Atleti – he played left 5 times for Man City scoring 1 goal. So he is not going to be the answer to our left wing lack of depth.
I’m surprised so many JA contributors want Alvarez to play ahead of Havertz, think Alvarez is that much better than Havertz.
Price? Arsenal will price Alvarez at over £100M.
By “offering Gyokeres to them” and pursuing Alvarez, could we be rescuing Barcelona from their impasse with Atletico?
Struggling to excited about this possibility. Guy doesn’t like with us and isn’t exceptionally convincing after all ….
Julian Alvarez will ends up at Arsenal, the problem is, the Catalán Giants been activein his ears behind the scene, but the Argentinan is no Cesc Fabregas, his toys remain in the pram.
Fans are furious with him. He wants to leave. Hmmm, we’ll offer £10 to take him off your hands. Berta really needs to take advantage of the situation if we are actually interested in him.
BB
This is why I have mixed views on the Martinelli situation. His behaviour has been exemplary but the more I see of players angling for lucrative deals and behaving like prima donnas in pursuit of what they want, the more I have sympathy for clubs adopting a hard line attitude during the transfer window.
Players hold most of the cards and have the opportunity to set themselves up financially for life during their playing careers. This Alvarez saga and the Isaak one last season, plus Ollie Watkins now who Arsenal were linked to briefly are examples
The only downside to selling Martinelli is if we don’t bring in an upgrade… probably Yildiz.
The money being reported (£60m) is okay.
If we don’t replace him at all, then we should wrap Tzolis in 2 layers of cotton wool cos God forbid he gets crocked, we’ll be in for a long long season.
Agree dgr8xt, Martinelli has to be replaced if he goes.
SueP, I’m kind of old school myself in that I believe a player and club should honor to the best of their abilities the original terms of the contract that they sign and not play games, no pun intended, to go back on their written word. At the same time, we are forced to go with whatever has been made acceptable or risk losing out. Personally, I would honor my agreement even if the other side didn’t and I lost other opportunities, but unfortunately I may be very unusual.
Bruised Banana,
You’re not as unusual as you think. I to would act like you. These players are only to willing to put pen to paper and pick up their obsene amounts of money.
Then they have their heads turned, and get offered even more obsene amounts and want to be off. People make me laugh who say well it’s a short career and they need to get as much money as possible.
Certainly at the bigger clubs that doesn’t apply. If a player who’s on lets say, £3M over a 5 year contract, can’t financially secure there future. Then they are complete idiots in my eyes.
No as I said earlier Bruised Banana, me and you think alike regards honoring a contract.👍
SueP,
A very good post that I agree with.👍
Welcome to Arsenal Julian Alvarez.
Won’t touch him with a very long barge pole.
Repeatedly said NO to us and talked down on his own club all because he wants a move to Barcelona.
Now even his own fans want him gone.
We shouldn’t be like someone crawling and begging for love from someone who wants another. Barca will surely come for him next summer if we sign him and we will receive the same treatment he’s given to Athletico…even worse
Add to that his huge transfer fee and massive wages and one can’t help but ask what exactly he will add to our attack especially while being likely not committed to justify the financial outlay and moral embarrassment we’re in line to receive?
Completely agree with you DGR8XT, if he does come to Arsenal, I can’t help but feel it would be some kind of exit strategy to end up at Barca.
I am sure Berta would have that in mind though. If any deal is done, there would have to be some sort of clause regarding any Barca links.
Hard pass on Alvarez. If he was elite world class like Haaland or Mbappe, that is one thing. However, I’m not convinced he is an upgrade on Gyokeres or Havertz quite honestly.
Clearly only wants Barca, pines for them like a love struck teenager. We should steer well clear of this drama; only cause a distraction on our way to repeat PL title and try to win CL.