Simeone to leave Alvarez out of Atletico opener amid transfer standoff
Atletico Madrid will be without striker Julian Alvarez for their LaLiga opener against Malaga, as the Argentine remains embroiled in a transfer tug-of-war with Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid will be without striker Julian Alvarez for their LaLiga opener against Malaga on Wednesday due to ongoing transfer negotiations with Barcelona. The 26-year-old, who joined Atletico for a club-record €75 million in 2024, has expressed a desire to leave the Spanish giants. Despite Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin stating the club would not accept even €200 million for Alvarez, the Argentine remains determined to find a new club to fulfill his ambitions.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone confirmed that Alvarez will not feature in the opening game, prioritizing the player's wellbeing and desire to continue his career positively. Simeone hopes Alvarez will be closer to full fitness over the next four days, potentially playing in the subsequent match against Villarreal on Sunday. The coach emphasized the importance of Alvarez's performance for both the team and his individual development.
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