ONE TOUCH SUMMARY
- Julian Alvarez was booed by Atletico fans during the Villarreal draw after stating he wants to leave.
- Alvarez wants to join Barcelona, but Arsenal also shows interest in signing the former Manchester City striker.
- Atletico accused Barcelona of a smear campaign, while Alvarez’s booing may influence his transfer decision before the September 1 deadline.
ONE TOUCH INSIGHT
Alvarez’s booing by his own fans shows the relationship at Atlético Madrid has broken down, making a move away more likely than a stay. The Argentine striker has said he wants to join Barcelona, but Arsenal have also entered the race for his signature after his disappointing debut in the 2‑2 draw with Villarreal. Atlético’s accusation that Barcelona ran a “relentless smear campaign” against him underlines how toxic the situation has become, and the crowd’s reaction confirms that the club’s supporters no longer see him as part of their plan.
With the September 1 transfer deadline approaching, the concrete question is whether Barcelona will lodge a formal offer before the window closes; if they do not, Arsenal are positioned to step in and secure the forward’s services.
WHY IT MATTERS
The fan backlash highlights growing tension between Alvarez and Atletico, potentially accelerating his exit and increasing pressure on the club to resolve his future amid interest from Barcelona and Arsenal before the transfer window closes.
Julian Alvarez
ST
Argentina
Strengths
- ✓Pressing intensity
- ✓Positional versatility
- ✓Clinical finishing
- ⚠Can Alvarez maintain performance amid ongoing fan hostility?
- ⚠Will his transfer request impact his contribution if he stays at Atletico?
TACTICAL FIT
Losing Alvarez would force Atletico to rely more on other forwards and adjust Simeone’s system, while his versatility could add depth to Arsenal’s front line or complement Barcelona’s attacking trio.
THE DEBATE
Will fan hostility push Alvarez toward Arsenal instead of his preferred Barcelona move?
Transfer
Julian Alvarez: Does Atletico Madrid fans booing their own striker increase his chances of an Arsenal or Barcelona move?
Julian Alvarez was booed by his own Atletico Madrid supporters during Sunday's draw with Villarreal; Arsenal and Barcelona are both interested in the Argentine - who wants to leave Atleti to join the Catalan club; does Alvarez being booed increase his chances of joining Arsenal instead?
By Sam Blitz and Lyall Thomas
Monday 24 August 2026 13:34, UK
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Sky Sports' Sam Blitz takes a closer look at the future of striker Julian Alvarez and where he may end up should he leave Atletico Madrid.
Julian Alvarez was booed by Atletico Madrid supporters on Sunday after all the transfer window noise around him - does that mean a move to Barcelona or Arsenal is any closer?
The Argentine forward cut a disappointed figure when his own fans turned on him during Atleti's 2-2 draw with Villarreal.
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And with Arsenal and Barcelona circling ahead of the September 1 deadline, what will happen now? Here is a state of play about the forward's future...
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What happened with Alvarez on Sunday?
Alvarez played his first Atletico Madrid match on Sunday after revealing his desire to leave the club during the World Cup.
The Argentine striker wants to leave Diego Simeone's side to join Barcelona. However, Arsenal are also interested in bringing the former Man City striker back to the Premier League.
Barcelona want Alvarez but earlier this summer, Atletico accused the Catalan club of building a "relentless smear campaign" regarding the forward.
"Over the past few months, we've been subjected to a relentless smear campaign against one of our players," wrote Atleti on X.
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