{
  "id": 1830698,
  "title": "Simeone insists Atletico to 'build team around' Alvarez",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/simeone-insists-atletico-to-build-team-around-alvarez",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T23:26:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/08/1514162/simeone-insists-atletico-build-team-around-alvarez"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Madrid's coach Diego Simeone reiterated on Tuesday that Atletico Madrid will not sell striker Julian Alvarez this year, emphasizing his desire to build a team around the Argentine forward. Earlier this month, Atletico had lodged a complaint with FIFA regarding Barcelona's alleged attempts to sign Alvarez. The 26-year-old has also been rumored to be a target for Premier League champions Arsenal and was the subject of a rejected 150-million-euro bid from Real Madrid in June.\n\nSimeone, speaking ahead of Atletico's La Liga match against Malaga, described Alvarez as their best attacking player, echoing his sentiments from last season. He stated that Atletico needs to construct a team around the player. Atletico's CEO, Miguel Angel Marin, has consistently maintained that Alvarez is not for sale. When the club's owner speaks so unequivocally, there is little more to add, according to Simeone.\n\nAlvarez has netted 49 goals for Atletico since his transfer from Manchester City two years ago. While participating in the World Cup with Argentina, he expressed that a transfer could be beneficial for all parties involved, though he did not specify his preferred destination. Last season, Atletico secured a fourth-place finish in La Liga, trailing La Liga champions Barcelona by 25 points.",
  "summary": "MADRID: Coach Diego Simeone again insisted on Tuesday that Julian Alvarez would not leave Atletico Madrid this year, saying he wanted to “build a team around” the Argentina striker.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}