Signs reading “Julián fuera” — “Julián, leave” — appeared outside Atlético’s training complex. Another showed his number 19 crossed out. The action was attributed to the Frente Atlético supporters’ group, with photographs of the banners quickly spreading across social media.

This was not the first sign that some Atlético supporters had run out of patience. Insulting chants aimed at Álvarez were heard during the league match against Málaga, while another banner targeting the Argentine appeared near the Metropolitano. Álvarez was not included in the squad, although Diego Simeone linked his absence to the player’s later return after the World Cup and the need to catch up physically.

Atlético won the match 2–0, but the result did nothing to end the discussion about the striker’s future. The club have spent the summer insisting that Álvarez is not for sale. CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín even declared that Atlético would reject offers of €100 million, €150 million or €200 million. Barcelona’s message from Madrid was clear: there would be no negotiations.

Part of the fanbase is now sending the club a very different message. Atlético are determined to keep the player, while banners outside their own training ground are telling him to leave. It is an impressively tidy arrangement. All that is missing is for the club to publish two official statements contradicting each other on the same afternoon.

Álvarez has not publicly announced that he has chosen Barcelona. There is also no confirmed agreement between the clubs. Reports about his preferred destination and Barcelona’s interest remain media information and must be separated from the verified facts. What can be confirmed is that his relationship with a section of Atlético’s supporters has deteriorated badly.

Barcelona are still searching for a new centre-forward and continue to be linked with the Argentine. The curious part is that the Catalan club have not even taken the transfer close to completion, yet the situation in Madrid is already beginning to look combustible.

Atlético can refuse to negotiate, point to the contract and hide behind a €500 million release clause. It may be more difficult to pretend that Álvarez can simply return to the team, score a few goals and make everyone forget what was hanging outside the training ground.

For now, Rodri has moved to the front of the queue. Gianluigi Longari reports that Barcelona consider negotiations with Manchester City closer to a resolution and therefore want to complete that operation before turning their full attention back to Álvarez.

The problem is that Atlético Madrid are still showing no sign of changing their position. The Argentine remains Hansi Flick’s preferred striker, but the coach’s enthusiasm alone will not suddenly open the door in Madrid or produce a convenient discount.

The plan is therefore clear: Rodri first, Álvarez afterwards and, if another agreement proves impossible, a fresh list of alternatives. Barcelona may not know who will lead their attack yet, but their schedule of final deadlines is becoming impressively detailed.

That matters because this is no longer simply Barcelona briefing about their preferred striker. MD reports that Álvarez himself has now taken his position directly to the coach, while his representatives Fernando Hidalgo and Sergio Díaz remain in Madrid trying to resolve his future.

Barcelona’s part of the equation is therefore remarkably clear. They want the player, the player reportedly wants them, and Atlético still do not want to sell him to Barça. MD says an earlier €100m proposal did not persuade the Madrid club to negotiate. For once, Barcelona have found a transfer problem that cannot be solved simply by repeating how much the player wants to come.

That matters because Álvarez had been expected to confront Simeone over his desire to leave. So far, there is no confirmation that the anticipated conversation actually took place. The forward left the training ground at around 11:00 with the rest of the squad. 

For a morning billed as a potential turning point, it looked remarkably normal. Atlético are still treating Álvarez as their player, while Barcelona remain on the outside waiting for the pressure to produce something more concrete.

The significant update is the growing tension behind the scenes. Álvarez had wanted to hold the meeting on Monday, but Simeone was away in Ibiza during two days off, while CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín was also unavailable. According to the report, the striker was frustrated by the situation and has maintained that Atlético should not plan on him staying. He is also said to be willing to take stronger action if dialogue continues to lead nowhere. 

Mundo Deportivo adds that people close to Álvarez claim Atlético have had an understanding with him since February that they would facilitate a transfer this summer. That remains a claim from the player’s camp rather than an officially confirmed agreement. For Barça, the strategy is becoming fairly convenient: wait while the player himself applies the pressure in Madrid. 

So there was no dramatic no-show and no transfer rebellion. Julián trained. Barça’s problem remains rather less exciting: he is still an Atlético player, while Diego Simeone is not due back until Wednesday. That is when coach and striker are expected to meet face-to-face as the uncertainty around the Argentine’s future continues. Cadena SER

Barcelona can keep watching events in Majadahonda like an episodic drama. Tuesday brought the agent, the individual session and the gym. Wednesday should bring Simeone. What Barça actually need, however, is not another episode — it is Atlético opening the door to a transfer.

The striker underwent medical tests on Monday but did not subsequently report to Atlético’s training ground. His anticipated meeting with Simeone may not take place until Wednesday because the coach is still on leave. Atlético’s position has not changed: Álvarez is not for sale.

Cadena SER adds that Barcelona still consider the operation difficult and blocked. Barça will not encourage the player to behave unprofessionally, but they are waiting to see what comes from his talks with Atlético. Publicly, the club keeps its distance. Privately, it hopes Álvarez can open a door that Deco has spent weeks standing outside.

There is still no agreement, accepted offer or approval from Atlético. Barcelona’s plan currently relies on the target doing the hardest part of the negotiation against his own employer. Even Barça’s search for a striker begins with an elaborate exercise in not taking the shot.