Julian Alvarez Expresses Desire to Leave Atletico Madrid
Argentina striker Julian Alvarez has announced his intention to leave Atletico Madrid in order to "fulfil his dream." The 26-year-old forward is currently participating in the World Cup with Argentina, having appeared as a substitute in their first two matches following recovery from an ankle injury.
Alvarez's decision comes amid reported interest from major clubs including Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. Earlier in June, Atletico Madrid rejected a substantial €150 million (£130 million) offer from their rivals Real Madrid for the striker.
"I spoke with the people at [Atletico] I needed to speak with, and the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream," Alvarez said after Argentina's World Cup victory over Austria.
"It's not the time to talk about this, but I also can't hide it. I try to be an honest person."
Career and Performance at Atletico Madrid
Alvarez joined Atletico Madrid from Manchester City in the summer of 2024 for a transfer fee of £81.5 million. Since his arrival, he has made 106 appearances for Diego Simeone's side, scoring 49 goals and providing 17 assists.
In his debut La Liga season, the former River Plate forward scored 17 goals. However, his goal tally decreased to eight in the 2025-26 season. Despite this, Alvarez demonstrated exceptional performance in the UEFA Champions League during the same season, netting 10 goals in 15 matches and helping Atletico reach the semi-finals, where they were ultimately defeated by Arsenal.
- How Alvarez became Europe's most sought-after striker
- Real Madrid's £130m Alvarez bid rejected
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