Julian Alvarez responds to Chelsea interest as Atletico Madrid set asking price

Julian Alvarez is reportedly ‘open’ to a move back to the Premier League after Chelsea expressed interest in signing the Atletico Madrid forward.

Alvarez has enjoyed a productive spell in the Spanish capital since his £82m move from Manchester City in 2024, scoring 29 goals during his first season at Atletico.

The 25-year-old Argentina international, who won two Premier League titles at the Etihad Stadium, has scored another 11 goals so far this season.

While Alvarez is content at Atletico, he was hoping to win yet more silverware after leaving Man City but that is yet to materialise under Diego Simeone.

Atletico Madrid finished third in La Liga last season and are currently just fourth, eight points behind leaders and defending champions Barcelona.

Alvarez was linked with a return to England ahead of last summer’s transfer window, with Liverpool and Arsenal both considering moves before looking elsewhere for attacking reinforcements.

Arsenal ended up signing Viktor Gyokeres in a £64m deal from Sporting while Liverpool bought two superstars strikers – Alexander Isak from Newcastle Unites and Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.

A number of clubs are keeping tabs on Alvarez now ahead of possible moves in the summer, with Barcelona and PSG known admirers of the former South American Football of the Year.

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have joined the growing list of clubs who are interested in signing Alvarez.

Chelsea spent almost £100m to bring Joao Pedro and Liam Delap to Stamford Bridge last summer but neither have inspired huge confidence.

Pedro has fared slightly better, scoring eight goals in all competitions, while Delap has only contributed one in the Premier League.

Reports in Spain have also credited Chelsea with interest in Alvarez and claim the player is not opposed to a return to the Premier League.

The Argentine was never a guaranteed starter at Man City but still scored 36 goals across two seasons at the club and won the Champions League and FA Cup as well as the two league titles.

Atletico Madrid have so far shown no desire to sell Alvarez but it is claimed a summer move is possible if suitors are prepared to pay 100m euros (£87m).

Asked about the speculation surrounding his future at Atletico last month, Alvarez said: ‘Look, it doesn’t bother me. I try not to pay much attention, but I know what’s being said.

‘It’s all over social media. I think it’s more what’s being said online than what’s actually happening.

‘I’m very focused on this season, on what lies ahead with Atletico Madrid. So, I try to tune it out and think about myself, about continuing to grow as a player, and about winning.’

Next up for Alvarez and Atletico Madrid is a crucial Champions League clash against Turkish giants Galatasaray on Wednesday night.

Simeone’s side are currently eighth in the Champions League group phase, with the top-eight advancing straight to the knockout stages of Europe’s top club competition.

Alvarez’s main Premier League suitors Chelsea, who replaced Enzo Maresca with Liam Rosenior, are 13th – two points outside the automatic qualification places.

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