Olmo: I don’t understand Atletico’s Alvarez stance

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Dani Olmo does not understand why Atletico Madrid took such a hardline stance on Julian Alvarez pursuing a “dream” transfer to Barcelona.

The transfer window closed on Tuesday with one of the summer’s biggest sagas unresolved, with Alvarez remaining at Atletico.

Barca had publicly outlined their interest in the former World Cup winner on numerous occasions, while Arsenal and Real Madrid were also touted as potential suitors.

It was the Blaugrana who were most persistent in their efforts to land the Argentine, but Atletico insisted there was no chance of a deal being struck with their domestic rivals, and they stood by that stance until the window closed.

In a club statement, Los Colchoneros said their refusal to deal with Barca came after the Catalan giants failed to negotiate in “a professional, ethical and respectful manner.”

Barca instead moved for Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal and Alvarez, who skipped training last week after being jeered by Atletico’s fans following a 2-2 draw with Villarreal, must be reintegrated into Diego Simeone’s squad.

Olmo had been keen to see Alvarez arrive at Camp Nou, and though he is content with the club’s summer business, he does not understand Atletico forcing Alvarez to stay.

“I don’t understand it,” Olmo said on Wednesday, as quoted by ESPN. “We all have our dreams. Julian was clear in that respect. 

“He clearly fought for his dreams, but at the end of the day, there are external situations you can’t control, and in that sense, there is no need to say anything else.

“As I have said, life goes on, this doesn’t stop. We hope to have a really good season with the competition we have in the squad, because we have signed well.”

The members of Atlético de Madrid’s Board of Directors have unanimously expressed their absolute support for the club’s decision to not negotiate the transfer of Julián Alvarez to FC Barcelona.

The members of the Board of Directors acknowledge that “Atlético de Madrid is open… pic.twitter.com/WoghDx0YBJ

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) August 27, 2026

In 2025-26 (not including the Club World Cup), Alvarez contributed to 29 goals (20 goals, nine assists) in 49 games for Atletico, the fifth-most among all LaLiga players.

Since his debut in August 2024, he has scored the most goals (49) and had the most shots of any player for the club (238).

It remains to be seen whether he will be involved in Atletico’s trip to face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, after he was omitted from Simeone’s squad for last week’s 3-1 win at Sevilla.

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