Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has stated he is prepared to reintegrate Julian Alvarez into his squad, even as uncertainty continues to swirl around the striker's future amid a rejected move to Barcelona.
The 26-year-old forward missed three training sessions during the week and will not be included in Atletico's squad for Saturday's away trip to face Sevilla. His absence comes as Atletico's hierarchy continues to publicly resist any attempt by Barcelona to sign the player, despite reported interest from the Catalan club.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Sevilla fixture, Simeone acknowledged that questions about Alvarez's situation were inevitable but stressed that his attention was on the upcoming match, in which the striker will not be involved.
"I understand that all the questions will be about Julian. The club has been very clear about what will happen," Simeone said. "From a sporting perspective, I hope to help him continue being as important as he still is. My focus is on Sevilla, where he won't be available."
The Argentine coach went further in expressing his willingness to welcome the forward back into the fold whenever the transfer saga is resolved, regardless of the outcome.
"When he returns, we'll give him everything he needs to feel important. In life, anything can be reversed, as long as we have our health," he added.
Atletico's board has taken a firm and public stance against negotiating any sale of Alvarez to Barcelona, releasing two separate statements this week reaffirming their position. In the most recent communication, the club's directors declared unanimous support for refusing to engage in talks with Barcelona over the player.
"The members of Atletico de Madrid's Board of Directors have unanimously expressed their absolute support for the club's decision to not negotiate the transfer of Julian Alvarez to FC Barcelona," the statement read. It continued: "The members of the Board of Directors acknowledge that Atletico de Madrid is open to standard transfer market negotiations when conducted in a professional, ethical and respectful manner. We fully stand behind the club's previously communicated position that FC Barcelona failed to meet these requirements and, as a result, there will not be any negotiation and there is zero consideration of an Alvarez transfer to Barcelona."
With Barcelona effectively ruled out as a destination by Atletico's own declarations, attention has turned to other potential suitors, with Arsenal reportedly leading the chase to sign the former Manchester City forward should a departure eventually be sanctioned.
The timing of Alvarez's absence is notable given Atletico's forward line is already stretched thin. Fellow striker Alexander Sorloth remains sidelined through a muscle injury, leaving Simeone with limited attacking options for the trip to Sevilla. Summer arrival Cristian Romero, signed from Tottenham Hotspur, will travel with the squad but is not expected to start.
Looking ahead to the match itself, Simeone acknowledged the threat posed by a Sevilla side arriving on the back of two consecutive victories.
"We have to face an opponent coming off two wins who will be very confident going into tomorrow's match," Simeone said. "We'll have to steer the game in a direction where we think we can hurt them."
The unresolved transfer situation is likely to remain a talking point around the club in the coming weeks, with Atletico showing no signs of softening their stance toward Barcelona while leaving the door open for a move to another club, or for Alvarez's continued involvement at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Based on reporting from Independent (football).