Julian Alvarez transfer saga blows open as angry agent sends furious public message

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Julian Alvarez’s transfer continues to be played out in public, with the Atletico Madrid striker’s agent sparking fresh speculation that the Argentine could move to Barcelona or Arsenal this summer.

Alvarez has been linked with a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano for much of the summer, with the forward doing little to play down speculation that he is seeking a move.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have had offers for the 26-year-old rejected already this summer, with the Catalans having made Julian their top priority to replace Robert Lewandowski. Meanwhile, Arsenal have been monitoring his situation as Mikel Arteta seeks further offensive reinforcements.

Current ETV

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

€93.4M

ETV Range

€84M - €102.7M

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Atletico Madrid ignite agent battle: Alvarez has not been well advised

Atletico Madrid have done their best to shut down transfer rumours, repeatedly indicating that they are planning with Alvarez for the coming campaign and pointing to his €500 million release clause as the only way he could leave Los Colchoneros.

The club’s latest comments, though, have not gone down well with the Alvarez camp, sparking an angry reaction on social media from the player’s representative.

Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil called out Alvarez’s agent for giving the player poor advice, stating: “Atletico de Madrid, like all great clubs, is built with great players - and I'm certain that Julian is one, as well as a consummate professional. We must compete based on our values, with homegrown talent and the best players from outside that we can bring in.

“We cannot allow other clubs and their affiliated media to decide what we have to do, dictate our sporting strategy, and disrespect us. That's precisely what they're trying to do: divide us. It's clear we're not as powerful as they are, but we have values.

“We are going to help Julian and continue to take care of him so that he can give us his full potential, because we need him to continue competing among the best in Europe. We must understand that Julian has not had the best advisors around him regarding his professional career in recent months.”

Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, appears to have been left furious by Atletico Madrid’s public jab at him.

On his Instagram account, he responded with a message that read: “Never ask a liar why he lied, to explain it to you, he would have to lie again.”

A new chapter opened in Alvarez saga

Atletico Madrid going into open warfare with Alvarez’s agent is a twist that opens up a new chapter in a transfer saga that has spanned the summer.

The tension between the club and the agent has given both Barcelona and Arsenal fresh hope that the striker could be on his way before the end of the transfer window – and even if no deal is done, transfer speculation can be expected to burn through until January and potentially beyond.