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Julian Alvarez is poised to be one of the biggest transfer stories this summer with Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to sign the Atletico Madrid forward
Julian Alvarez has made it clear he is keen on a summer move to Barcelona and would prefer to remain in Spain rather than returning to England.
Alvarez, 26, has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Chelsea as speculation continues to rise around his long-term future at Atletico Madrid. The Argentina international joined Atletico in 2024 after spending two years - and winning six major trophies - at Manchester City.
During his time in the Premier League, Alvarez impressed. Indeed, he scored 20 goals in 67 top-flight appearances for City before he left to sign for Diego Simeone's Atletico in a £82million deal.
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Alvarez scored 29 times in 57 matches in his first season at the Wanda Metropolitano, but he hasn't been as prolific this campaign, netting 13 goals in 37 games. With Alexander Sorloth now Atletico's main man up front and Ademola Lookman impressing since his January move from Atalanta, the Madrid club are considering selling Alvarez.
Barcelona have emerged as a clear favourite destination for Alvarez should he depart Atletico, with the forward fitting into Hansi Flick's project at Camp Nou. Arsenal and Chelsea are also long-term admirers of Alvarez and could be tempted to make a move if he becomes available in the summer transfer window.
Now, TyC Sports journalist Gaston Edul has provided an update on Alvarez's future and believes that his preference is Barcelona. "Julian will be a hot topic for the next six months and throughout the transfer window because he's a player who will be in high demand, and perhaps he's not that expensive for what he offers," Edul said.
"Several clubs want him. He has two clubs interested in him: Arsenal and Chelsea, who are already known to be interested, and Barcelona. Barça has always wanted Julian."
"Barça already wanted him when he was at Manchester City. They even spoke, but never made an offer, and this interest remains. Julián chose to live in Spain because he liked the country, and he's keen on Barcelona to avoid returning to the cold of England, but Barcelona needs to be more concrete about what they're hinting at."
Despite the interest, there has been no firm offer for Alvarez yet, and there are concerns about Barca's financial capacity to sign him. "It's good that they're communicating with his inner circle, letting it be known that they want him, but then they don't have the money to buy him," Edul added.
"He's the best striker in the world, and he comes at a price."
Arsenal were in the market for a move for Alvarez before he joined Atletico in 2024. Chelsea were also targeting a move for the Argentine, who has four-and-a-half years left on his contract in Madrid.
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