By any reasonable measure, Julián Álvarez has been a successful signing for Atlético Madrid.
Having joined from Manchester City for an initial €75 million in 2024, as he begins his third season in LaLiga, the Argentina striker needs to score just once to take his tally for his club to 50 goals. But after the 26-year-old went public with his desire to leave this summer, he has faced a backlash from Atlético fans.
The club have repeatedly insisted that their star player will remain at the Estadio Metropolitano this season. Despite that, sources have told ESPN that the champions of both Spain and England are still hopeful of signing Álvarez before next week's transfer deadline for a reported fee of around €150 million.
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Barcelona have made the forward their top target to operate at the apex of their attack, while Arsenal's interest in signing him could be a more realistic prospect since they won the Premier League title last season.
So could the player who "completed football" in 2022-23 -- when he won the UEFA Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup with City and the FIFA World Cup with Argentina -- be subject of the final major move of the summer transfer window? Or will Atlético back up their public statements by keeping hold of their most important player?
ESPN's correspondents in Barcelona (Sam Marsden), London (James Olley) and Madrid (Alex Kirkland) give us the latest on the situation and look at what might happen next. -- Tony Mabert
Julián Álvarez, wanted by the champions of Spain and England, has faced a backlash from Atlético Madrid fans over his desire to leave. Will he get his summer move? Angel Martinez/Getty Images Barcelona Barcelona's pursuit of Álvarez has been the most drawn out, and at times tiresome, saga of the summer. ESPN first revealed in January that the Argentina forward topped Barça's list of targets to replace the 38-year-old Robert Lewandowski, whose future was uncertain at the time. Following the Poland international's free transfer to the Chicago Fire -- and Ferran Torres' €55 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain -- that interest has only intensified.
The Spanish champions knew negotiating with Atlético would be difficult, but hoped Álvarez's preference to join them would force talks. However, not even Álvarez's comments to ESPN in July, when he said a "transfer would be best for all parties," helped pave the way for a deal. All the while, as confirmed by Barça president Joan Laporta, the Catalan side had left their first offer, worth just over €100 million, on the table.