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SportsJulian Alvarez formally requests Atletico exit; Barca's Gavi says joining Barcelona is his dream
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Julian Alvarez has formally requested to leave Atletico Madrid this summer, with Arsenal and Barcelona both expressing interest. Barcelona midfielder Gavi stated that playing for Barcelona is Alvarez's dream, while Atletico president Enrique Cerezo expressed surprise at the request and insisted the club has no intention of selling the 26-year-old forward. Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed that sporting director Deco made a substantial offer for Alvarez, which Atletico rejected due to a lack of a replacement, though the offer remains on the table. Alvarez joined Atletico from Manchester City in 2024, scoring 49 goals in 106 appearances, and has four years left on his contract. The transfer saga highlights a potential high-profile move this summer.
Source report
Julian Alvarez has requested to leave Atletico Madrid this summer amid interest from Arsenal and Barcelona, and one of his potential teammates has now offered his take on a potential deal.
Barcelona star Gavi has claimed that it is Julian Alvarez's dream to play for Barcelona, despite interest from Arsenal. The Argentine forward has long been linked with a move to the Emirates following two seasons with Atletico Madrid.
Alvarez has gone as far as submitting a transfer request to his current employers. Speaking earlier this summer, he said:
"This isn't the time to talk about this, but I can't hide either; I try to be an honest person. I spoke with the people at Atlético Madrid, and I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream."
Alongside Arsenal, Barcelona have also been linked with a move, and Gavi is keeping his fingers crossed that a deal gets over the line, having suggested Alvarez is keen on a move to the Camp Nou.
"Hopefully," Gavi said when asked about the forward. "We'll see what he decides to do with his future, but of course I'd love him to be with us. Besides, it's his dream."
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo also offered his take on Alvarez's future recently and claimed he was taken aback by the forward's comments.
"It caught us by surprise and we have done what we had to do. We've said that he is an Atletico de Madrid player and that we have no offers from anyone. Even if there were offers, we do not want to sell him."
Alvarez, 26, joined Atletico Madrid from Manchester City in 2024 and has gone on to score 49 goals in 106 appearances for the Spanish side. He still has four years remaining on his contract in Spain.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta also spoke out over the past few days and suggested that his side had made a huge offer for Alvarez's services.
"[Barça sporting director] Deco made an offer of a certain amount of money for [Álvarez], who has wanted to join us since he was at City. I spoke with [Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel] Gil Marín. He told me they were not planning to let him go, but the offer is firm and we stand by it. It remains on the table and the deal could still go through, but the offer is not open-ended. Atlético said no because they didn't have a replacement. If they get one, we will see."
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Source
Mirror - Transfer NewsWestern
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Julian Alvarez Publicly Declares Desire to Leave Atletico Madrid