Simeone: Atletico Madrid won’t sell Alvarez to Barcelona

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says the club will not allow Argentina forward Julian Alvarez to leave during the current transfer window despite interest from Barcelona.

Last month, Atletico filed a complaint to FIFA over Barcelona allegedly tapping up Alvarez.

The Argentina international has also been linked with a possible move to Premier League champions Arsenal and was the subject of a rejected 150-million-euro ($173.4m) bid from Real Madrid in June.

“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 on Saturday ahead of a pre-season friendly against Manchester City in Seoul.

He added: “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 the best – which has been a tremendous amount – that he has given us over the last two years.”

Alvarez is due to rejoin the Atletico squad in two days’ time after taking a break following Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain.

Messi loses father Jorge at 68 after prolonged illness

While on World Cup duty, the 26-year-old said he “believed a transfer is best for everyone”, but did not confirm his preferred destination.

Alvarez has scored 49 goals for Atletico since signing from Manchester City two years ago.

Gil Marin said: “We don’t want to transfer him. We didn’t accept the 100-million-euro offer, nor will we accept one for 150 million or 200 million.

“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.”

Atletico get their LaLiga campaign under way on August 19 with a home match against newly-promoted Malaga.

The club finished fourth last season, 25 points adrift of champions Barcelona.