Atletico Madrid has instructed Julian Alvarez to report for pre-season preparations on August 10, as reported by Marca. Meanwhile, Barcelona is expected to intensify their efforts to sign Alvarez over the next week but may need to consider other options if they cannot agree on a transfer with Atletico.

Where the Saga Stands After the World Cup Final

Alvarez played for Argentina on Sunday during the 1-0 defeat against Spain in the World Cup 2026 final in East Rutherford. Following the conclusion of the tournament, he will take a brief break before returning to Atletico’s facilities by August 10 for the upcoming season.

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The timing is significant as speculation regarding Alvarez’s future escalated during the tournament. The Argentine forward had publicly expressed his wish to leave Atletico during the competition, and Barcelona had previously had a bid rejected even before the final match concluded.

Atletico Holding Firm, Laporta Pushing Back

Atletico Madrid has consistently maintained that Alvarez is not for sale this summer, despite his desire to depart. The club has reinforced that Alvarez must report back by August 10.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has countered this stance, stating that it is not advisable to retain a player who has openly shown a desire to leave. Laporta emphasized the risks of keeping unhappy players within the team.

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Research indicates that Alvarez is under contract with Atletico until June 2030, protected by a release clause that makes a unilateral exit financially challenging for Barcelona. Atletico continues to assert they will not sell Alvarez this summer, and should an agreement not be reached, Barcelona may be forced to explore alternative targets.

What Happens Next for Barcelona

Barcelona is likely to pursue their efforts over the coming week. If they fail to reach an agreement with Atletico, reports suggest the club will look for other targets to avoid prolonging the situation into the season.

Atletico has reiterated their demand for Alvarez to report back by August 10, while Barcelona prepares to continue their pursuit of the forward in the coming days.