Julian Alvarez passed his medical in Madrid on Monday, marking the start of his official return to Atletico Madrid. But the decisive conversation the Argentine striker had planned with coach Diego Pablo Simeone to discuss his future has been pushed back to next Wednesday at the earliest.
According to "Mundo Deportivo", Simeone extended his holiday by a few extra days after Atletico's friendly in South Korea and will not return to the Spanish capital before midweek. That forced Alvarez to postpone a meeting he considers crucial, one where he hopes to learn the coach's stance on his future before making any final decisions.
Tests away from the sports city
Alvarez had the medical tests done at a private clinic in Madrid, in line with the club's usual protocol. He has yet to set foot on the pitch at Atletico Madrid's sports city.
With the tests complete, the Argentine international now awaits a return to work alongside his teammates. The greater focus, though, remains on that anticipated conversation with Simeone.
Atletico holds firm to its refusing stance
Officials at Atletico Madrid have not budged an inch. Senior figures at the club told the Spanish newspaper "Sport" that Alvarez remains non-transferable, and that they are not thinking about negotiating his departure at all, despite the interest the striker has drawn in recent months from Barcelona and other European clubs.
An implicit understanding or a misunderstanding?
The player believes he reached an implicit understanding with Atletico, one in which the club would be prepared to listen to proposals on his behalf after the end of last season.
Alvarez sees that possibility as part of what the two parties discussed, and now wants to remind general manager Gil Marin of it in person. Atletico read the situation very differently. There is still no desire to smooth his path to Barcelona specifically.
The Argentine banks on dialogue
His desire to wear the Barcelona shirt has not changed. Alvarez intends to convey that position once again to the Atletico board, hoping the club will at least agree to sit down and negotiate.
He does not want to force a crisis or a messy exit. But he has no intention of hiding his priority if he can finally leave Madrid amicably.
Barcelona watches from afar
Barcelona, meanwhile, are following events from a distance with great caution. The Catalan club have already made their serious interest clear, and they know any progress now depends entirely on Atletico softening their refusal. Should the red and whites open the door to negotiations, something unlikely at present, Barcelona stand ready to try again and submit a new official proposal.