Julián Alvarez has been one of the main protagonists of the summer transfer window, but with Barcelona and Arsenal still keen on his signature, the Argentine made his season debut for Atlético Madrid at the weekend and was serenaded with whistles, boos and insults from his own fans.

Despite being Barcelona’s priority transfer target all summer, and Alvarez himself making a public transfer request during the 2026 World Cup to try and force his way out, he donned Atléti’s shirt on Saturday in their home opener against Villarreal—and it went exactly like you might expect.

From the moment his name was read out by the stadium announcer as the Atlético squad was being presented on the stadium’s screens, Rojiblanco fans made their angry feelings towards the striker abundantly clear with a cacophony of jeers in his direction. Things only worsened once he came on the pitch from the bench and delivered an inglorious 24-minute cameo.

But the icing on the cake came once the final whistle blew. Atlético Madrid players went over to salute the fans but Alvarez walked in the opposite direction and into the locker room. Diego Simeone revealed after the match that Alvarez's premature departure from the pitch was a club decision, but the whole scene only added more gasoline to an already raging fire.

Atléti have been unwilling to entertain Alvarez’s exit so far this summer, but with the striker’s relationship with the club and their fanbase seeming completely fractured, is there still one final twist coming in the saga before the Sept. 1 transfer deadline?

Dream Move to Barcelona Essentially Vetoed

Many believed that Barcelona signing Alvarez as Robert Lewandowski’s replacement was all but guaranteed entering the summer, but Atlético Madrid had other plans.

The Catalans reportedly sent an initial $116 million (€100 million) bid back in May that Atlético publicly rejected with a series of scathing social media posts.

Since, and regardless of the frontman’s not so subtle hint at his desire to join Hansi Flick’s side, Atlético have made it abundantly clear that they won’t sanction his exit to their La Liga rivals. CEO, Miguel Angel Gil Marín went as far as to say they wouldn’t sell Alvarez even if a €200 million offer arrived.

Barcelona remain keen on the Argentine and are yet to sign a center forward despite Ferran Torres following Lewandowski to the exit door. Without a senior center forward, Flick‘s men started the season with Raphinha, the club’s primary left winger of the current era, leading the line.

The Catalans teased their desire to sign a striker in the final week of the transfer window, but unless there is a major shift in Atlético’s stance, pessimism continues to increase regarding their ability to actually land their dream target of this summer.

Arsenal Are The Escape Route, But Alvarez Seems Reluctant

Arsenal have been lurking in the shadows, letting all the drama of the Alvarez saga between Barcelona and Atléti take center stage, but the Premier League champions remain interested in the Argentine and seem ready to pounce if the opportunity presents itself.

According to ESPN, the 26-year-old forward is Arsenal’s priority in the final week of the window and they would be willing to make him the most expensive transfer in club history, going beyond the $143 million they spent to sign Declan Rice three summers ago.

Atlético would also be more open to entertain Alvarez’s exit to the Premier League and not to a direct rival. Further reporting from The Athletic indicates that Arsenal making a $174.8 million (€150 million) bid is the only possible way Alvarez could leave Spain’s capital this summer.

However, the Gunners reportedly want the player’s camp to make their desire to join the club known before they enter into serious negotiations. So far, that hasn’t happened, with Alvarez still only considering a move to Barcelona and with further reports suggesting the former Manchester City star isn’t exactly enticed by a potential return to the Premier League.

Unless Alvarez decides that leaving Atlético Madrid any way possible is the more important objective in the final week of the window, then a move to north London seems as unrealistic as to Catalonia.

Atlético Madrid Close to Winning Alvarez Transfer Saga

Atlético Madrid have publicly stated Alvarez is not for sale since the start of the summer. There was a sense that their stance could change if a significant offer arrived or if the player asked to go, but nothing has swayed Los Rojiblancos and they are days away from living up to their word.

Unsettled players are often left out while there is still a chance they could leave. Even with a hostile reception expected, it speaks volumes that Alvarez was actually involved against Villarreal.

Atlético appear content in keeping a disgruntled player that expressed his desire to leave and has turned into a supervillain in the eyes of their own fans. The relationship appears completely fractured, but Simeone is seemingly trying to turn the page towards mending the tense situation.

“Miguel [Gil Marín] spoke clearly yesterday,” Simeone said prior to Atléti’s home opener. “I’m on the same page I’ve always been: Julián is a very important player for us to reach the objectives we have as a team. We need him, we’re going to take care of him and we are going to be with him.”

After the mutiny in the stands Alvarez was subjected to by his own fans, Simeone doubled down. “If Atlético Madrid want to win a title, we need to be together, we need to have strikers and we need to have important strikers.”

Alvarez wanted to leave for Barcelona and Atlético Madrid wanted him to stay at the club. After months of scrutiny, tension and uncertainty, Atlético are about to win the saga in the end.