Overview
- Julián Álvarez missed three straight Atlético training sessions and was left out of the matchday squad for Sevilla, a development reported on Friday that the club framed as an internal matter.
- Coach Diego Simeone publicly expressed support for Álvarez and said the club will treat the issue internally while reiterating that the player will not be available until he returns to training.
- Atlético’s board has declared it will not sell Álvarez to Barcelona and cites his contract through June 2030 with a reported €500 million release clause as legal cover for that stance.
- Transfer reports say Arsenal has been linked with a reported €150 million approach and Spanish media have suggested Álvarez may be suffering depression, but those medical claims have not been confirmed by the club.
- Separately in Argentina, River Plate dismissed Eduardo Coudet after the Copa Sudamericana exit, named Leonardo Ponzio interim coach, and is evaluating a short list of candidates constrained by contracts and quick timing.