JAKARTA - Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone says he still plans to build his team around Julian Alvarez despite Barcelona's interest in signing the Argentine striker who wants to leave.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed earlier this week that his club had made an offer for Alvarez - who told ESPN in May 2026 that he wanted to leave Atletico Madrid this summer.
However, Simeone insists Atletico Madrid are still preparing for the future with Alvarez.
"He is a player that we, as a club and as a team, imagine as someone who will be the centre of our game."
"This is what we have done since he came and it remains our thinking," Simeone told ESPN Argentina.
Simeone's comments contrast with Alvarez's comments last month, when he revealed that it would be better for him and Atletico Madrid to part ways this summer.
When asked about the player's desire to leave, Simeone turned his focus back to the 2026 World Cup, where Alvarez is currently leading Argentina to defend the title.
"The best thing he can do is focus on the Argentina game and not think about all the things that come up to create confusion."
"Argentina will need him. He's an incredible player, the best we've had at Atletico Madrid since he came."
"Hopefully he can give everything he always gives to Argentina. He is a player who can change the course of the game at the 2026 World Cup," said Simeone.
The 26-year-old is also courted by Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, while Real Madrid claimed in May 2026 that they failed with a 150 million euro bid for the striker.
Meanwhile, Laporta did not confirm how much Barcelona offered, but hinted that the proposal would remain on the table.
Simeone is not surprised by the interest in Alvarez - who joined Atletico Madrid in a deal worth up to 95 million euros from Manchester City in 2024 - because he believes the striker is already among the best players in the world.
"He is definitely among the five best (in the world), no doubt. He has improved (since joining Atletico Madrid)."
"The numbers speak for themselves. Since the moment he arrived, I feel we have signed a very important player and he has proved it."
"It's very difficult to find another player with the same attacking quality as he gives to the team," he said.
Barcelona's efforts to sign Alvarez have angered Atletico Madrid. Los Rojiblancos CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin said they would report the Catalan club to FIFA for approaching a player who has a contract until 2030.
Gil Marin also insisted that Atletico Madrid would not let Alvarez go this summer, which may force Barcelona to look for other options.
That could bring them back to England striker Harry Kane. ESPN revealed this week that they had conducted an informal investigation into his availability, but the approach was rejected as the Bayern Munich player focused on the 2026 World Cup.
Barcelona have signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United this summer for a transfer fee of 70 million euros, but are still looking for a new striker to replace Robert Lewandowski, who has joined Chicago Fire.
Internal sources at the club told ESPN this week that they believe they can make another important signing as they now operate under LaLiga's financial regulations for the first time in several seasons.
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