Álvarez misses third training session as Atlético cite illness

Julián Álvarez has missed Atlético Madrid’s team training for a third consecutive day. The Argentine was absent again on Friday, August 28, with club sources continuing to say he felt unwell. The transfer saga keeps producing headlines. Diego Simeone could do with it producing an available striker instead.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Friday’s absence followed those on Wednesday and Thursday. There is no confirmation that Álvarez is on strike or refusing to train to force a move.

MARCA reported that he was expected to train individually later in the day. That was a plan, not confirmation of a completed session. Meanwhile, Pedro Fullana of Cadena SER reported that the forward would miss Saturday’s match against Sevilla.

Atlético’s position on Barcelona is considerably less uncertain. In an official statement, the board unanimously supported the refusal to negotiate with the Catalan club. It accused Barcelona of failing to act professionally and respectfully. Those are Atlético’s allegations, not independently established findings.

Gil Marín also described Álvarez’s difficult personal and professional circumstances. As reported by MARCA, he argued that the player had been misled. That does not amount to permission to join his preferred club.

Barcelona may hope the dispute changes Atlético’s position. For now, missed training sessions are easier to count than progress in negotiations. Being absent in Madrid is not quite the same as moving closer to Camp Nou.