Simeone: Julián Álvarez central to Atlético Madrid plans despite Barcelona interest

Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone has publicly shut down transfer speculation linking Julián Álvarez with Barcelona, reaffirming the Argentina forward as a cornerstone of his squad plans for the coming seasons. Simeone told ESPN that he remains fully committed to building Atlético’s future around Álvarez, the 24-year-old who has been a consistent performer since joining from Manchester City in January 2022. The Argentine boss emphasized that Álvarez’s role is non-negotiable amid ongoing rumors suggesting Barcelona’s interest in the forward.