Barcelona top target loudly booed by Atletico Madrid fans amid ongoing transfer pursuit

Barcelona top target loudly booed by Atletico Madrid fans amid ongoing transfer pursuit Barcelona have been heavily involved in the pursuit of Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid as their new number nine this summer. The Catalans lost Robert Lewandowski at the end of last season and saw Ferran Torres leave this summer, leaving them without a natural striker option in the squad. Atletico Madrid have been stubborn in their stance that the 26-year-old striker is not for sale, especially to Barcelona. His difficult situation at Atletico has now taken another turn, with the striker receiving a hostile reception from his own supporters. The Argentine was included in Atletico’s matchday squad against Villarreal, marking his first squad involvement of the new season after a summer dominated by uncertainty over his future. Metropolitano makes its feelings clear However, Alvarez’s return did little to calm the tension surrounding him. The Atletico supporters at the Metropolitano greeted the 26-year-old with loud boos, making their feelings clear after weeks in which his desire to leave Madrid has become one of the major stories of the transfer window. For Barcelona, the reception will inevitably be viewed with interest. Atletico want Alvarez to remain an integral part of their project, but restoring complete normality becomes much harder when a section of the fanbase is openly expressing its frustration with the player. A situation Barcelona will watch closely The boos do not necessarily bring Alvarez any closer to Barcelona. Atletico still control the situation contractually, and the financial demands involved in any potential transfer remain a major obstacle. However, they do underline the problem facing the Madrid club. Alvarez’s future hangs in the air. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Keeping an unhappy star is one thing. Keeping him while expecting him to perform at his highest level under intense scrutiny from his own supporters is another entirely. There is a reason top clubs in the world do not keep players who are unhappy, as it often turns counterproductive for the club itself. For some reason, however, Atletico Madrid continue to be stubborn in their stance to keep an unhappy player at the club. All of this changes nothing for Barcelona. Unless Atletico open the door to negotiate for Alvarez, it is highly unlikely that the Catalans can do anything about their pursuit. Hansi Flick very clearly wants the Argentine to be his new number nine ahead of the new season, and it remains to be seen whether the team has a chance of signing Alvarez in this final week.