Alvarez transfer request sparks Barcelona hope amid Arsenal interest

Barcelona midfielder Gavi has claimed it is Julian Alvarez’s “dream” to move to the Camp Nou this summer, amid growing interest from Arsenal in the Argentine forward. The comments come after Alvarez formally requested to leave Atletico Madrid, a move that has thrown his future wide open with several major European clubs monitoring the situation.

According to the Mirror, Alvarez has long been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium following two seasons in Spain, but he has now gone as far as submitting an official transfer request to his current employers. Speaking earlier this summer, the forward admitted he could no longer stay quiet on the matter.

“This isn’t the time to talk about this, but I can’t hide either; I try to be an honest person,” Alvarez said. “I spoke with the people at Atletico Madrid, and I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream.”

Gavi backs Barcelona dream

With both Arsenal and Barcelona credited with interest, Gavi has revealed his hope that Alvarez ends up as a team-mate in Catalonia, suggesting the forward has held ambitions of playing for the club since his time at Manchester City.

“Hopefully,” Gavi said when asked about Alvarez’s future. “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.”

Alvarez, 26, joined Atletico Madrid from Manchester City back in 2024 and has since scored 49 goals in 106 appearances for the Spanish side. He still has four years remaining on his contract, which puts Atletico in a strong negotiating position despite his desire to leave.

Atletico dig in over sale

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has already responded to the transfer request, insisting the club has no intention of letting Alvarez go regardless of any offers received. Cerezo said he was taken aback by the forward’s public comments.

“It caught us by surprise and we have done what we had to do,” Cerezo said. “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.”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has since offered a rather different account, revealing that his club has made a concrete approach for the forward. Laporta said sporting director Deco had put forward a firm bid, though the Barcelona chief acknowledged Atletico’s reluctance to sell without a suitable replacement lined up.

“Deco made an offer of a certain amount of money for [Alvarez], who has wanted to join us since he was at City,” Laporta said. “I spoke with [Atletico CEO Miguel Angel] Gil Marin. 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. Atletico said no because they didn’t have a replacement. If they get one, we will see,” Laporta added.

With Arsenal also credited with interest and Alvarez keen to force through a move, the saga looks set to run for some time yet as Atletico Madrid weigh up their options in the transfer window.