Barcelona priority target admits he ‘made a mistake’ over handling of transfer situation

Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez may have gone quiet in recent days, but the Argentine striker’s future continues to draw attention in Spain.

According to Cadena SER, Alvarez has spoken openly with his Atletico Madrid teammates and admitted that he made mistakes in the way he handled the situation surrounding Barcelona’s interest.

The report suggests that the striker has accepted that his conduct, particularly the way he expressed himself amid the transfer speculation, was not handled in the best possible manner. 

However, his admission does not necessarily mean that he has changed his mind about a possible future away from Atletico Madrid.

Rather, Alvarez is now attempting to reset the situation within the dressing room while Barcelona’s hopes of completing a permanent transfer remain increasingly difficult.

The Barcelona transfer saga involving Julian Alvarez has reached a standstill, and the Argentine appears to be coming to terms with the possibility of remaining at Atletico Madrid.

According to the outlet, he recently spoke to his teammates and accepted responsibility for the way he dealt with Barcelona’s interest.

Julian Alvarez has admitted to his teammates that he made a mistake. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Addressing his commitment to Atletico, it was reported that Alvarez told his teammates, 

“He has spoken to his teammates and told them that his commitment to the shirt is total and that, for whatever time he has left at Atletico Madrid – be it a year, three years or two days… the club comes before anything else.”

Notably, until now, Alvarez had not openly acknowledged to his teammates that he had made a mistake, and his recent conversations have removed fears of any possible act of defiance if Atletico refused to allow him to join Barcelona.

Further explaining the striker’s position, the report adds, 

“He has spoken to his teammates in the last few hours, telling them that his commitment to Atletico takes precedence over everything else and acknowledging that he was in the wrong, particularly in terms of his behaviour and the way he expressed himself.”

Despite his apparent change in attitude, the report makes it clear that Alvarez’s apology should not automatically be viewed as proof that he no longer wants to leave Atletico Madrid.

Alvarez accepts he might end up staying at Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

The uncertainty surrounding his future remains, although Barcelona’s chances of securing his signature on a permanent deal now appear increasingly slim.

The journalist covering Atletico Madrid’s situation was careful not to draw a direct conclusion about Alvarez’s long-term wishes, stating. 

“I don’t think that, just because of this, he’s woken up today and no longer wants to leave Atletico. I’m not saying that because I don’t know if it’s true.”

However, with the situation at a deadlock and time continuing to pass, the Argentine is becoming increasingly aware that a move to Barcelona is unlikely to happen.

The report states that he is now clear that he will not be joining FC Barcelona on a permanent transfer, at least under the current circumstances.

“I think he’s getting closer and closer to having a change of heart,” concludes the report.