Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has firmly dismissed speculation linking Julian Alvarez with a summer transfer away from the Spanish capital.
The Argentine forward only arrived at Atletico last summer in a deal worth £81.5 million, making his short stay at the club central to the president’s defiant stance.
Alvarez enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign in Madrid, scoring 29 goals across all competitions and establishing himself as one of the most dangerous forwards in Europe.
Cerezo was characteristically blunt when addressing the transfer rumours, telling MARCA: “Julián Alvarez is an Atlético de Madrid player and will be an Atlético de Madrid player.”
Arsenal have been strongly linked with the 26-year-old World Cup winner, with reports suggesting the Gunners would need to pay approximately £87 million to secure his signature.
Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be monitoring the situation, making Alvarez one of the most coveted attackers currently linked with a Premier League move.
Despite the considerable English interest, Spanish publication Sport claims Alvarez would prefer to remain in Spain if he were to leave Diego Simeone’s side at all.
Barcelona are reportedly the forward’s preferred destination should he push for an exit, which would complicate any Premier League club’s attempts to win the race for his signature.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is understood to have shifted his immediate transfer focus toward midfield reinforcements, potentially leaving Chelsea as the leading English suitor.
The belief inside Atletico is that Alvarez’s agent is deliberately raising his client’s profile ahead of either a future departure or a potential contract extension.
Atletico are reportedly not currently exploring an extension but remain completely relaxed about the situation surrounding the Argentine star.
With Cerezo’s public declaration and Alvarez’s own reported preference to stay in Spain, a summer move to the Premier League looks increasingly unlikely at this stage.
