‘The best player we have’ – Diego Simeone breaks silence on Julian Alvarez’s future amid Barcelona transfer talk

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has spoken out on Julian Alvarez‘s future amid continuing speculation about a summer transfer to Barcelona.

Alvarez has said he wants to leave Atletico and feels a transfer is “the best thing for everyone” but Los Colchoneros continue to insist he’s not for sale.

There’s been speculation that Simeone is happy for Alvarez to leave as he doesn’t want players who are not 100% committed, but the Atletico boss was certainly full of praise for his striker when quizzed on the situation.

“He’s the player we have in mind to create plays around. His future is tomorrow’s match; the best thing for him is to focus on that, not think about everything that’s been said. Things will work themselves out as they always do,” he told ESPN.

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“He’s the player we have in mind to create plays around. His future is tomorrow’s match; the best thing for him is to focus on that, not think about everything that’s been said. Things will work themselves out as they always do,” he told ESPN.

“From the moment he arrived, I knew he was a different kind of player, one who brought an attacking quality that’s very hard to find. Julián is among the top five in the world. Thanks to his hard work and the growth he experienced at City and Atlético, he’s reached this point and these numbers (market value). We’ll see what happens.

“The numbers speak for themselves, he’s had excellent consistency, he’s brought a different kind of quality to the team. We’re very happy with his work, he’s always treated us very well.”

“From the moment he arrived, I knew he was a different kind of player, one who brought an attacking quality that’s very hard to find. Julián is among the top five in the world. Thanks to his hard work and the growth he experienced at City and Atlético, he’s reached this point and these numbers (market value). We’ll see what happens.

“The numbers speak for themselves, he’s had excellent consistency, he’s brought a different kind of quality to the team. We’re very happy with his work, he’s always treated us very well.”

Simeone also revealed that he has spoken to Alvarez during the World Cup but only about how he’s feeling and Argentina’s chances of victory.

“I ran into him when I went to see Giuliano and we chatted a bit about how his ankle was and how important he is to the team. In the last match he already showed a different intensity and Argentina is going to need him, he’s an extraordinary player,” he added.

“Julián is the best footballer we have at Atlético Madrid since he arrived, and hopefully he can achieve with the national team what he did in the last World Cup.”

“I ran into him when I went to see Giuliano and we chatted a bit about how his ankle was and how important he is to the team. In the last match he already showed a different intensity and Argentina is going to need him, he’s an extraordinary player,” he added.

“Julián is the best footballer we have at Atlético Madrid since he arrived, and hopefully he can achieve with the national team what he did in the last World Cup.”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has also spoken about the situation this week, saying a bid has been lodged with Atletico and that he’s known the striker has wanted to play for the Catalans for a long time.