Julian Alvarez arrived back at Atletico Madrid’s Majadahonda complex on Monday for medical checks and, within 48 hours, was working alone up front in the morning training session before joining his World Cup finalist team-mates in the afternoon.

Simeone was flat when he was asked at a press conference on 8 August whether Barcelona’s interest could still shift Atletico’s position.

“I think the situation is very clear. The club has made a decision that (CEO) Miguel Angel (Gil Marin) has explained very well,” Simeone told reporters.

“From a sporting perspective, we’re very happy to have a footballer like Julian. We will help him continue to grow, continue to improve and continue delivering the best.”

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Atletico’s CEO has already ruled it out

The stance is not new. In an interview last month Gil Marin used unusually blunt language to close the door on the Catalans.

“We do not want to sell him, we don’t accept the €100 million offer, nor would we accept one of €150 million or €200 million,” the Atletico CEO said.

“Please, just let it go. We do not want to sell him, and we are not going to sell him. Stop insisting.”

Alvarez’s release clause sits at a prohibitive €500m, and Atletico have already lodged a FIFA complaint accusing Barcelona of an improper approach. Real Madrid saw a €150m bid rejected in June.

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Alvarez has made his choice public

The player has been just as direct. During Argentina’s run to the World Cup final in July, Alvarez spoke to ESPN about a summer exit.

“I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfill my dream.”

His camp has since made clear the dream is Barcelona, and Joan Laporta has warned that unhappy players are hard to keep. The Barcelona president himself put a soft deadline on the talks.

“It’s a very important offer for us, and a very good one. Yes, it’s not unlimited and, well, we will give it a reasonable time once the World Cup is over. I’d say until the end of the month,” Laporta said.

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Arsenal linger as the fallback

Arsenal have kept a watching brief throughout, ready to move if Barcelona’s pursuit collapses. The Gunners were told, according to reports, that Alvarez wanted Barcelona, and landing him would still require them to break their transfer record.

Atletico open their La Liga campaign against Malaga on 19 August. Alvarez is registered, training, and publicly frozen in a standoff neither side is showing any sign of ending.

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