Diego Simeone responds after Arsenal sent transfer message by Julian Alvarez

Arsenal transfer target Julian Alvarez recently refused to confirm whether he'll be an Atletico Madrid player come the start of next season

Diego Simeone has revealed he has no issue with Julian Alvarez's recent comments in which the striker refused to rule out a summer transfer away from Atletico Madrid.

Former Manchester City forward Alvarez was pushed on his future after netting twice in the Champions League against Tottenham on Tuesday evening.

When asked whether he could provide any assurances that he'd be staying put beyond the summer, Alvarez replied: “I don’t know, I don’t know, but maybe yes, maybe no. You never know. But I’m very happy here. You ask me a question that will end up all over the place, but I’m happy.

"I’m thinking about the day-to-day, I’m working to improve, to give my best here, I never said anything bad about the club, I’m very grateful, the people also showed me their affection, so I’m very happy."

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Simeone has now been asked about Alvarez's claims and he said ahead of his side's local matchup against Getafe on Saturday: "We won the other day and the question is whether Julian might leave or stay.

"Julian made the right comments. He’s giving us a lot. I tell our people that we’re doing well. I said we would compete, and we are competing."

Alvarez's Atletico Madrid contract is due to run until the summer of 2030. Arsenal and Barcelona are among the Argentinian's admirers, though Chelsea have also been credited with an interest.

He is now up to 16 goals and seven assists in all competitions this term and it goes without saying that Atletico do not want to sell.

However, there's a feeling from those close to the player that Alvarez could switch clubs at the end of the season even though it's a World Cup year.

Joan Laporta, who wants to be re-elected as Barcelona's president, would like to bring Alvarez to Catalonia and he has already used the player as a key driving force during his campaign.

Alvarez cost Atletico Madrid up to £82million including extras in August 2024 when he decided to depart Manchester City due to his lack of regular starts at the Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool were interested in the forward at the time but City had no intention of selling to a direct Premier League rival.