Julián Álvarez has been repeatedly linked with a transfer to Barcelona this year, especially after his agent admitted in the summer that the forward would welcome a move to the Catalan club.
Now, his first coach has intensified the rumours, claiming Álvarez doesn’t feel “comfortable” at Atlético Madrid under Diego Simeone and emphasizing that the player has always been a Barcelona fan.
“I don’t think he’s comfortable at Atlético. He’s spent too many matches out of position, never really playing where he should. I know he’s told his family he’s trying to focus on the team, that he wants to perform well, and that his aim is to remain the national team’s No. 9,” Hugo Rafael Varas said on Super Deportivo Radio.
“At Atlético, the team defends far more than it attacks. I see him operating more as a creator than a finisher right now. He’s scoring from free-kicks or long-range attempts. The team isn’t giving him the kind of service he had at River Plate, where he thrived as a true No. 9.”
Varas also believes Álvarez could be tempted to leave and join either Barcelona or Real Madrid.
“We’ve seen matches where Julián was defending near the opposition’s goal. I couldn’t believe it. He and Simeone get along, but Simeone’s style is all about defending,” Varas added.
“The other day he was taken off and he was clearly upset. He had just missed a penalty, and coming off didn’t sit well with him. He was also returning from injury, and maybe Simeone was trying to protect him — but I think his frustration came from multiple things.”
Varas went on to say that someone recently urged Álvarez to move to Barcelona — and that the only reason he isn’t already there is because the club didn’t make the necessary financial push.
“He would have gone, because he’s always been a Barça supporter. Personally, I’d also like to see him at Real Madrid,” he said.
With Barcelona expected to look for a new long-term striker this summer as Robert Lewandowski’s tenure winds down, speculation linking Álvarez with a move is likely to grow even stronger.
