Simeone: “We need Julian Alvarez”

February 13, 2026 Oliver Obel

Julian Alvarez says he is concentrating on Atletico Madrid’s season run-in, but speculation about his long-term future refuses to fade as Barcelona prepare to visit the Metropolitano in the Copa del Rey semi-final.

French outlet L’Equipe reported last year that Paris Saint-Germain explored personal terms with the Argentina international before his 2024 move to Madrid. More recently, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano noted that several European clubs are monitoring Alvarez’s situation ahead of the summer window.

Alvarez has acknowledged the noise without committing himself.

"I just think short term, and no further," he said earlier this season. "But I feel very looked after at Atleti, very happy here."

In a November interview with L’Equipe, he added: "Do I plan on playing at Barcelona or at PSG? Honestly, I don’t know."

Expectations rise with price tag

Alvarez arrived as Atletico’s headline signing during a €188 million recruitment drive and delivered 29 goals in all competitions in his debut season. In La Liga, he struck 17 times, averaging roughly a goal every 160 minutes.

Those numbers were solid, but not transformative. Alexander Sorloth finished the league campaign as the club’s top scorer despite fewer starts, prompting debate over whether Atletico were getting maximum return from their marquee forward.

This season has been more uneven.

Alvarez opened slowly before a September surge that included a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano and two goals in a derby victory over Real Madrid. Since early November, however, league goals have been limited, and he has not scored in any competition since December 9.

For a striker signed to decide tight matches, even a short drought becomes magnified.

Tactical demands and public backing

Diego Simeone has consistently defended his No.9, emphasizing his work rate as much as his finishing.

"Julian is an extraordinary player," the Atletico manager said after the derby win. "We have to look after him, so he is here for many years, and becomes a big player in this club's history."

Simeone’s system often requires his central forward to press aggressively and drop into midfield to connect play — responsibilities that can affect raw scoring totals. Atletico’s attack is structured around collective intensity rather than individual isolation, and Alvarez frequently covers significant ground before arriving in the penalty area.

Ahead of the Copa semi-final, Simeone was direct: "We need Julian. He's a hugely important player for us."

Wider uncertainty

Atletico’s broader inconsistency has only heightened attention. A 5-0 Copa win away to Real Betis was followed days later by a 1-0 home defeat to the same opponent.

After that loss, captain Koke raised concerns about the playing surface at the Metropolitano.

"Honestly, it's not in good condition," he said. "We slip, the turf comes up. Clearly, we have to play better, so it's not an excuse, but we're expected to perform at a high level and we need a pitch of that same quality to be able to do so."

Few within the club would attribute Alvarez’s dip solely to conditions, but the timing has added to the scrutiny surrounding Atletico’s most expensive attacker.

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo recently described Alvarez as "one of the best strikers in the world," comments that have fueled debate about a possible future approach. Any potential move would depend on financial feasibility as well as Atletico’s willingness to negotiate, with the Argentine under a long-term contract.

For now, the priority is silverware. Beyond that, both club and player may face significant decisions when the season concludes.

Sources: L’Equipe, Fabrizio Romano, club press conferences