Alvarez misses Atletico training amid illness as Arsenal monitor Barcelona transfer stance
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez was absent from Wednesday morning training due to feeling unwell, as reported by Marca. The Argentina international continues pushing for a move to Barcelona despite being booed by Atletico fans last weekend, with the club hierarchy refusing to sell to their LaLiga rivals and preferring to do business with Arsenal instead.
Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on X that Alvarez's absence stems from illness, noting Arsenal remain attentive to the situation should Alvarez open doors to a move at any point, though he has only indicated Barcelona as his desired club so far. Atletico's stance leaves Arsenal in a monitoring position while Alvarez navigates his transfer ambitions.
This situation affects Arsenal's transfer planning as they await clarity on Alvarez's availability, with Atletico's refusal to strengthen a direct rival creating a potential pathway for the Gunners if the player reconsider his Barcelona preference. The fan backlash highlights growing tension between Alvarez and the Atletico supporters amid his transfer pursuit.
Will Arsenal's patience pay off if Alvarez abandons his Barcelona push, or should they shift focus to other targets amid Atletico's firm stance against selling to LaLiga rivals?