Barcelona priority target set to demand exit in key talks with current club
· Yahoo Sports
Julian Alvarez is set to take the next major step in his push to leave Atletico Madrid for Barcelona, with the Argentine striker returning to training on Monday and preparing to make his position clear to the club.
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According to Mundo Deportivo, Alvarez is not expected to create a public confrontation or refuse to work with Atletico.
Instead, he plans to handle the situation directly, first speaking with Diego Simeone before meeting members of the club’s sporting management.
His message is expected to remain the same: he wants to leave Atlético Madrid and his preferred destination is Barcelona.
Alvarez ready to tell Atletico he wants Barcelona
Until now, Alvarez has been away on holiday, meaning the situation has largely developed without the player being physically involved with Atlético’s pre-season preparations.
That changes now.
Julian Alvarez will return to Atletico Madrid today. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The Argentine is set to return to normal training and behave professionally, but that does not mean he has changed his position.
He is reportedly preparing to reiterate his desire to leave the club and join Barcelona.
Alvarez has already made his intentions known privately and has also spoken publicly about his future without directly naming the Catalan club.
Now, however, he has the opportunity to communicate his position to the people who can decide whether the transfer is possible.
As per the outlet, the Argentine’s first conversation will be with Simeone, who has been reluctant to entertain the idea of losing one of his most important attacking players.
Alvarez will reiterate his desire to join Barcelona. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
At the same time, the club’s management has also maintained a firm stance against allowing Alvarez to join Barcelona.
Barcelona will therefore be watching closely to see whether Alvarez’s direct request changes Atletico’s approach.
So what happens now?
Barcelona have already made one offer for the Argentina international, which has been rejected, and if Atletico finally agree to open negotiations, the Blaugrana are expected to return with an improved proposal.
That means Alvarez’s meeting with the Atletico hierarchy could have a major impact on the next stage of the Barcelona transfer.
The Catalan club hopes that a clear request from the player will force Atletico to reconsider their position and at least begin discussions over a possible deal.