Overview
- Reports on Friday say Julián Álvarez is close to appointing Pablo Barquero as his new agent, a development that has increased concern at Arsenal about Barcelona regaining the upper hand.
- Álvarez ended a long relationship with agent Fernando Hidalgo after a summer in which his bid to join Barcelona failed, leaving the striker still under contract at Atlético through 2030.
- Barquero’s role in negotiating Rodri’s transfer to Barcelona is the key link that fuels the view his involvement could steer Álvarez toward Camp Nou rather than north London.
- Atlético still hold negotiating leverage and outlets report an unconfirmed asking price around €120m; Arsenal remain interested and have discussed player‑plus‑cash options and sales such as Viktor Gyökeres to fund a bid.
- Nothing is agreed and the next moves to watch are Barquero’s formal appointment, how Atlético respond to any approaches, and whether Álvarez’s own preference shifts before a potential January approach.