In-demand Atletico Madrid and Argentina forward Julian Alvarez has requested to leave the club from the Spanish capital this summer.
The forward revealed his request after coming on as a second-half substitute for Argentina in a 2-0 win over Austria in World Cup Group J, which saw the Albiceleste secure their place in the knockout stages.
Impressive for Atletico in the Champions League
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Alvarez enjoyed a decent 2025/26 season when it comes to goals, as he scored 20 goals in all competitions. His record of just eight goals wasn’t overly impressive.
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However, it was his ten goals in 15 games in the Champions League that are likely to have caught the attention of European football’s elite.
Real Madrid bid rejected
The forward has become one of the most in-demand players in world football. Earlier this month, Atletico rejected a bid of around £129m from rivals Real Madrid for the forward.
However, Atletico are reluctant to sell the forward, who has a minimum fee release clause of £431m. That clause will not realistically be met for Alvarez, despite Los Colchoneros’ officials using it as a reason for the rejection.
The Argentine’s request to the club may make Atletico more open to selling their star forward. However, as they have proven in the past, they don’t let their stars leave on the cheap.
Real Madrid are not the only suitor for Alvarez
Los Blancos are just one of a group of clubs interested in acquiring Alvarez’s services this summer. Both Barcelona and PSG are interested in signing Alvarez.
However, Atletico have already laughed off Barcelona’s attempts at signing the forward this summer. The Blaugrana have already paid Newcastle United around €80m (£69.3million) for England international Anthony Gordon.
It seems unlikely that the reigning Spanish giants would still have the financial muscle to compete with their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, in a bidding war.
Reportedly, European champions PSG have to sell to buy this summer to balance the books. However, South Korean forward Kang Lee-In is close to finalising a move to Atletico Madrid, which could free up some transfer funds.
🚨 Kang-in Lee, another top priority for Atlético Madrid with Grimaldo — talks are well underway on player side.
Agreement on personal terms getting closer and Atléti to follow up with PSG. 🇰🇷
🎥➕ https://t.co/nswHZUUbCC pic.twitter.com/8KTDcs44Kf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 19, 2026
Alvarez isn’t PSG’s only transfer target this summer, though, as the Parisians have also been heavily linked with moves for RB Leipzig’s Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande.
The Parisians would face stiff competition from Premier League Liverpool for the highly-rated wide man, though.