Atletico Madrid will not allow striker Julian Alvarez to leave the club during the current transfer window despite reported interest from Barcelona, manager Diego Simeone said on Saturday.
Atletico last month filed a complaint with FIFA accusing Barcelona of making an improper approach for the Argentina international.
Alvarez has also been linked with a move to Premier League champions Arsenal and was reportedly the subject of a rejected €150 million ($173.4 million) offer from Real Madrid in June.
However, Simeone insisted Atletico’s position was clear and that the club wanted to retain the forward.
“I think the situation is very clear. The club has made a decision that (CEO) Miguel Angel (Gil Marin) has explained very well,” Simeone told reporters ahead of Atletico’s pre-season friendly against Manchester City in Seoul.
“From a sporting perspective, we’re very happy to have a footballer like Julian.
“We will help him continue to grow, continue to improve and continue delivering his best — which has been a tremendous amount — that he has given us over the last two years.”
Alvarez is expected to return to Atletico’s squad in two days after being given time off following Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Spain.
During the World Cup, the 26-year-old forward said he believed a transfer “is best for everyone”, although he did not reveal his preferred destination.
Since joining Atletico from Manchester City two years ago, Alvarez has scored 49 goals for the Spanish club.
Atletico chief executive Gil Marin also reiterated that the club had no intention of selling the forward, regardless of the size of any offer.
“We don’t want to transfer him. We didn’t accept the €100 million offer, nor will we accept one for €150 million or €200 million,” Gil Marin told the club’s in-house media channel.
“I have no doubt that Atletico is the right place for Julian and that Julian is the centre-forward for Atletico Madrid. We want to keep him.”
Asked how Alvarez might be received by Atletico supporters following the transfer speculation, Simeone pointed to the example of Antoine Griezmann.
The France international left Atletico for Barcelona in a big-money move before eventually returning to Madrid. Although he initially faced hostility from some supporters, Griezmann rebuilt his relationship with the fans and eventually left the club as a legend last season.
“We went through a period with Antoine in recent years where he had to leave, come back, and prove his quality and stature on the pitch,” Simeone said.
