‘We’ll enjoy having him’ – Arsenal and Barcelona sent message over Julian Alvarez after failed Atletico transfer exit

MARC PUBILL has sent Arsenal and Barcelona a message after failed bids for Julian Alvarez. Pubill, 23, has insisted that Atletico Madrid are fortunate to have retained the services of the forward after he missed out on a major European move over the summer. Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez during a Champions League match against Liverpool Credit: Getty Alvarez looks on during Atletico’s LaLiga match against Real Madrid Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Alvarez, 26, made his intentions on moving clear after two seasons in the Spanish capital, with strong interest coming from Barcelona and Arsenal. However, no deal was agreed as Atletico refused to let the World Cup winner join his favoured club, Barcelona. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Now Pubill has explained to MARCA that he hopes Atletico can still get the best out of their star player. Pubil said: “We experienced it inside the dressing room in the same way as people did from the outside. “Julian is a spectacular player, extremely good, and luckily we have him here. We’re all going to enjoy having him. We will help him. Hopefully he gives us his maximum because he’s a top player.” It comes after Alvarez received a hostile welcome from his own fans during the opening stages of the 2026-27 LaLiga season. Atletico fans shockingly booed the forward during their derby against Real Madrid on Sunday. Even Atletico chief Miguel Angel Gil Martin, 63, has hit out at the Argentine as he has been accused of harming the club. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS The saga has resulted in the forward considering whether to ditch his agent Fernando Hidalgo. Alvarez is yet to start a LaLiga match for Atletico since the transfer window closed, making three substitute appearances. He also missed two games against Real Sociedad and Osasuna after dealing with muscular issues. However, Alvarez assisted Marcos Llorente, 31, as he played 90 minutes in the side’s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool in their opening Champions League fixture. Alvarez will get another opportunity to impress as he has been called up alongside the retiring Lionel Messi, 39, to Argentina’s squad for the upcoming international break. Argentina will face Bolivia in Cordoba on Wednesday, September 30, before fixtures against Burkina Faso and Benin in Buenos Aires. Comment now