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Julián Álvarez wants to leave Atlético, teammate jokes he'd chain him to stay
🇦🇷 Argentina /Sports

Julián Álvarez wants to leave Atlético, teammate jokes he'd chain him to stay

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Julián Álvarez wants to leave Atlético de Madrid for a dream transfer, expressing his desire to move after the World Cup.
  • Teammate Alex Baena joked he would chain Álvarez to keep him at the club, but acknowledged the player's desire for a transfer.
  • The club is reportedly upset by Álvarez's public statements, with some fans burning his jerseys, and suspects Barcelona's influence.

Julián Álvarez has openly declared his strong desire to leave Atlético de Madrid once competition resumes after the World Cup, fueling speculation about his future. The Argentine forward expressed his wish to fulfill a dream transfer, stating, “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I think now is not the time to talk about this, but I can’t hide or pretend to be distracted. I try to be an honest person, I spoke with people from the club, with those I should speak with. The best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfill my dream.”

I don’t know what’s going to happen. I think now is not the time to talk about this, but I can’t hide or pretend to be distracted. I try to be an honest person, I spoke with people from the club, with those I should speak with. The best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfill my dream.

— Julián ÁlvarezÁlvarez speaking to the press about his desire to leave Atlético de Madrid.

His teammate, Alex Baena, humorously responded to Álvarez's comments by saying he would chain the player to prevent his departure. However, Baena also acknowledged Álvarez's ambition, stating, “If he wants to pursue his dream, well, what can we do?” Baena, who plays as number 10 for Atlético, admitted he wasn't entirely happy with his own season but affirmed his love for the club and its supporters. He added, “I wouldn’t believe he wanted to leave two months ago, but well, football changes.”

I would put a chain on him.

— Alex BaenaÁlvarez's teammate Alex Baena jokingly responding to the transfer rumors.

The situation has reportedly caused discontent within Atlético de Madrid. Videos of fans burning Álvarez's jerseys have circulated online. Club management is allegedly displeased, suspecting that Barcelona and agent Fernando Hidalgo influenced Álvarez's public statements. Álvarez, under contract until June 30, 2030, feels stagnant in Diego Simeone's project and seeks a move, with Barcelona rumored as a potential destination.

If he wants to pursue his dream, well, what can we do?

— Alex BaenaÁlvarez's teammate Alex Baena acknowledging the player's ambition.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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