Julian Alvarez’s transfer saga continues. The Argentine striker was greeted with loud boos from Atletico Madrid supporters at their 2026–27 LaLiga home opener, but club president Enrique Cerezo remains firm in his conviction that the forward will stay at the club and win back the fans.
Atletico Madrid faced Villarreal in their 2026–27 LaLiga home debut at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. Prior to kickoff, as the Colchoneros’ squad was announced, home fans turned a keen eye toward Julian Alvarez.
When Alvarez’s image appeared on the video screens and his name was read by the PA announcer, fans loudly booed the striker, expressing their frustration following his summer transfer request.
Enrique Cerezo wants Alvarez to stay, but fans disagree
Ahead of the match, Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo weighed in on Alvarez’s situation. He doubled down on his desire to keep the striker at the club while also criticizing FC Barcelona over their pursuit of the player.
“After a fairly complicated summer, marked by incessant questions about Julian Alvarez, the fact is he’s an Atletico Madrid player,” Cerezo said. “He’s always been an Atletico Madrid player. We never had any intention of selling him.
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“What I consider is that Barcelona wasn’t up to the circumstances and didn’t do what is normally done in this kind of situation,” Cerezo continued.
Arsenal also interested in Alvarez
Atletico Madrid have continuously rejected the idea of transferring Alvarez to Barcelona. However, the core issue appears to be selling to a direct LaLiga rival rather than the move itself.
According to reports, Atletico Madrid could listen to offers coming from the Premier League, specifically from one club. Rumors suggest that Arsenal are preparing a substantial proposal for Alvarez to avoid keeping an unhappy player against his will.
