Julian Alvarez has cut ties with the agent who helped him for almost ten years. With Julian Alvarez Arsenal links still alive after a failed summer exit, the Gunners will be waiting to see where it goes, reports say.
According to Spanish reports, the Atletico Madrid striker has ended his relationship with Fernando Hidalgo. He represented him from his River Plate days through his moves to Manchester City and Atletico. The split follows a summer in which Alvarez wanted to leave the Metropolitano and never got his move.
A summer that went nowhere
Alvarez made his desire to leave known during the World Cup, with Barcelona his preferred destination. Atletico refused to negotiate, and although Arsenal were heavily linked before the deadline, the 26-year-old stayed in Madrid. He is still under contract there until 2030.
The fallout was bitter. Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin accused the player’s representative of misleading and confusing his client. The club reportedly doesn’t hold Alvarez himself responsible. There are suggestions that Atletico see the change of agent as a positive development.
Who takes over?
Mundo Deportivo reports that Alvarez has decided on Pablo Barquero, who also represents Rodri. A deal is set to be made official imminently. Javier Pastore’s agency, and those linked to Jorge Mendes, were also said to have been in talks with the player. His father, Gustavo, is said to have taken a leading role in the search.
What it means for Arsenal
A new agent doesn’t indicate that a move is on the horizon, and the opinion among reports is divided. Some feel that a January transfer is highly unlikely, while others believe that the new manager could add impetus to a deal being struck in the coming months. Next summer looks set to be the most probable time for any sort of move to be made.
If Alvarez does go, Arsenal will have an easier time snapping him up. Deco has suggested that Barcelona are not interested in the forward anymore, so there is one less club fighting to sign him.
At present, it is clear why Arteta would want to sign Alvarez. He is capable of playing as a centre-forward, as well as as a second striker or a winger. Alvarez applies immense amounts of pressure on opposing defenders and has experience playing football in the UK from his days at City.
Arsenal’s director of football Andrea Berta is also familiar with Atletico, as he was the one who helped Alvarez transfer to the club back in 2024.
The price is the problem
The obstacle is money. Spanish reports this summer put Atletico’s valuation at around €150m, and the club has shown no sign of budging. Alvarez’s form explains why: he scored 20 goals in 52 games last season, including one in the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal, and became the first Atletico player to reach double figures in a single Champions League campaign.
Nothing has changed on the pitch, but off it Alvarez has swept out his circle of advisers, and Arsenal have every reason to keep an eye on what he does next.
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