Confirmed: Alvarez makes career-defining decision after Arsenal and Barcelona saga

6 Oct 2026 19:02 BST 3 min read

Julian Alvarez - Atletico Madrid, 26-27 — © IMAGO

Tom Weber | Writer

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Julian Alvarez is on the lookout for a new agent after a dramatic summer saw him stay at Atletico Madrid despite strong interest from Arsenal and Barcelona.

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The Argentina international was one of the protagonists of the previous transfer window. Alvarez was keen to leave Atletico Madrid after they had failed to challenge for major silverware in his two seasons at the club.

When Alvarez joined from Man City in 2024, Atleti built their team around the striker, yet tangible success has been found wanting. Consequently, the 26-year-old wanted to take his talents elsewhere.

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Alvarez had his head turned by Barcelona and publicly confirmed his desire to leave Madrid during the World Cup. He said that he wanted to "fulfil his dream," which everyone understood was a call to be allowed to join the LaLiga champions.

However, Atleti refused to play ball. For months, the Spanish giants were in open conflict over Alvarez, and his current side made it clear that they would not permit him to join Barcelona unless they triggered his €500 million release clause.

Alvarez to switch agents

With Barcelona out of the equation, Arsenal sensed a chance to pounce, but to no avail. Alvarez had his heart set on a move to Catalunya and turned down a return to England after his previous experience at Man City. This ultimately meant that he had to stay at Atleti.

It's been a deeply uncomfortable situation for Alvarez since that saga. He has been jeered and whistled by Atleti's fans when he has played this season. The club hierarchy, meanwhile, has sought to protect the team's superstar striker.

They have pinned the blame firmly on Barcelona and Alvarez's agent, Fernando Hidalgo. In August, Atleti CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin thundered: "Julian is really unwell. There have been people who have been trying to deceive him, to confuse him."

And the Argentine seems to have learned his lesson. Reports in recent weeks have suggested that he is looking to part with his long-time agent, and this has now been confirmed by AS.

The 26-year-old is set to drop Hidalgo after this summer's debacle, or at the very least his influence within the player's camp will be reduced. Alvarez has been a "free agent", so to speak, for a few weeks already, with his father leading the search for new representatives.

Compatriot Javier Pastore, the former PSG midfielder who oversaw Enzo Fernandez's Premier League record-equalling move from Chelsea to Man City, is currently believed to be the frontrunner to secure the right to represent Alvarez.

The striker has lost some of his trust in Hidalgo after this summer's saga. The idea behind the change is to smooth things over with Atleti. With a January move incredibly unlikely, Alvarez knows that he isn't leaving anytime soon.

Dropping Hidalgo would go some way toward placating Atleti and also show the club's fans, as well as his teammates, that he regrets what transpired in the summer. At the same time, though, hiring Pastore would be a clear message that he still intends to leave.

During the Fernandez saga, Pastore was not shy about using the media to exert pressure on Chelsea, so he could be just as much of a thorn in the side of Atleti as Hidalgo.