Julián Álvarez still wants Barcelona. Atlético Madrid's Argentine forward has clung to his desire to join the Catalan giants, even as his current club stands firm and refuses to sanction the move this summer.
According to Spanish newspaper «Mundo Deportivo», Álvarez hasn't budged. He wants to wear the Barcelona shirt, yet Atlético are slamming the door on any switch to the Camp Nou. The club will only entertain talks over a departure to Arsenal.
During the recent World Cup, Álvarez went public with his wish to leave Atlético Madrid. He insisted the transfer was the best solution for everyone and that he wanted to fulfil his dream, a clear nod to his hope of starting a new chapter away from the Spanish capital.
The Argentine hasn't stopped there. Over the past few hours he fired off a fresh message about his future, liking a TikTok clip in which he appeared wearing the Barcelona shirt and celebrating in his trademark style, a reference to his dream of pulling on the Catalan club's colours.
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That account holder had posted a clip a few days earlier showing Álvarez in a Barcelona shirt, before uploading a new video in which he voiced his astonishment at discovering the Argentine forward himself had liked the post.
This latest signal arrived at a delicate moment. The relationship between Álvarez and the Atlético Madrid fans has grown tense over recent days, after supporters jeered the player during a match at the Metropolitano.
Álvarez won't back down. Despite the pressure around him, he still hopes to move to Barcelona before the window shuts, while the Catalans wait to see whether a real chance of completing the deal exists.
Days remain before the deadline, and Barcelona are watching closely. They await any development that could open the door to the Argentine, who appears determined to fulfil his dream and wear the Catalan side's shirt.