Julián Álvarez crosses paths with Barcelona again

Latest news on Atlético de Madrid. Julián Álvarez is set to be a starter this Sunday November 8 against Barcelona, the team that tried to sign him last summer. Diego Simeone's training sessions position the Argentine in the starting eleven for the Matchday 12 of LaLiga, but the reunion does not mean there is a new negotiation for his transfer.

The match comes after a transfer window in which Barcelona made an offer of 100 million euros, payable over three years, as confirmed by their sporting director, Deco, in September. Atlético rejected the proposal and maintained its stance of not transferring the forward, who is contracted until June 2030 and has a release clause of 500 million euros.

Why Julián Álvarez's transfer to Barcelona did not go through

The difference between the two clubs was decisive. Barcelona considered an operation close to 100 million feasible, while Atlético defended that Álvarez was not for sale. In July, the club's CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, publicly rejected that amount and stated that he would not accept proposals of 150 or 200 million.

The forward, aged 26, had expressed his desire to change teams during the summer. Barcelona was his preferred destination, but that will alone was not enough for Atlético to authorize his departure. The Madrid entity held its position until the close of the Spanish market on September 2, and the Argentine continued under Simeone's command.

The operation also left tension between the boards. In August, Atlético reiterated that it would not negotiate with Barcelona under the proposed conditions. Later, Deco explained that the blaugrana club had acted respectfully and that it did not receive a response to its 100 million euro offer. The versions of both teams regarding the development of the contacts were not identical, but the outcome was clear: there was no agreement.

🚨 JUST IN - Today's XI test in training ahead of Barça: Oblak Llorente - Pubill - Hancko - Grimaldo Giuliano - Barrios - Koke - Baena Kang-in Lee - Julián Alvarez @PedroFullanaSER https://t.co/4ab3Ti1juJ

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) November 6, 2026

Julián Álvarez prepares to face Barça

Now the focus is on the field. The pre-match training suggests that Julián Álvarez will join Kang-in Lee in Atlético's offensive line, hosting Barcelona at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano this Sunday at 9:00 PM. The starting eleven will not be official until shortly before the match begins.

The clash also tests the Argentine's sporting situation after a summer marked by rumors. Álvarez remains part of the rojiblanca squad and his continuity, at least from a contractual point of view, is not in question due to an open negotiation with Barça. Additionally, the forward apologized to Atlético de Madrid fans for revealing his intention to leave during the summer.

For Barcelona, the match represents a chance to face the forward they tried to bring in to strengthen their attack. However, as of now, there is no confirmation of a new offer or contact to reactivate the transfer. Julián Álvarez will once again face the blaugrana team as a rival this Sunday; any change in his future will depend on concrete moves when the market reopens.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Julián Álvarez vuelve a cruzarse en el camino del Barcelona