Julián Álvarez, the man carrying a €500 million release clause, has not trained for a third day running, with Atlético Madrid flatly ruling out a sale to Barcelona despite the forward making his wishes perfectly clear.
The club's hierarchy insist there is zero chance of strengthening a direct rival, a stance that has caused deep frustration in the striker's camp. Álvarez has cited health problems, yet the real reason is the block on his move to Barcelona, with Arsenal's offer holding no appeal for him. Alexander Sørloth's injury has left Atlético without a recognised centre-forward.
Manager Diego Simeone acknowledged at his press conference that Álvarez will miss the match against Sevilla, but that he is ready to help him the moment he returns. "In life everything can be reversed as long as we have health," Simeone offered, summing up the situation philosophically. Yet it is clear that this transfer war will be one of the sternest tests of his Madrid era.
