Overview
- Diego Simeone confirmed on Friday that Álvarez is training well, will be included in the squad to travel to Bilbao, and has been officially reintegrated into first-team activities.
- Atlético made clear during the summer window that they would not sell Álvarez to Barcelona, issuing two public statements and instructing the board to bar talks with the Catalan club.
- The striker missed two days of training last week citing illness after being told privately that a move to Barcelona would not be sanctioned, a development reported by multiple outlets.
- Atlético held direct talks with Arsenal as the main alternative this summer but no deal was reached, with the club signalling a very high valuation and noting Álvarez’s long-term contract through 2030.
- Barcelona are reported to be preparing a renewed January approach with roughly €65–70m of financial fair play room, but Atlético’s asking price and contract leverage make a January transfer uncertain; Álvarez has scored 49 goals in 107 games for Atlético since joining from Manchester City and is still seeking club silverware.