'Deceived' Julian Alvarez Splits From Agent After Arsenal Interest

Julian Alvarez has reportedly split from his long-standing agent Fernando Hidalgo, following a summer in which Arsenal were among several clubs interested in the Atlético Madrid striker, according to various reports in Spain.

Hidalgo had represented the Argentina international since his days in the River Plate academy, overseeing his move to Manchester City in 2022 and his switch to Atlético over two years later.

However, the relationship between the agent and the Spanish club appears to have broken down during the summer transfer window, when Alvarez was the subject of interest from across Europe.

Barcelona were keen to bring him to Catalonia, but Atlético refused to entertain a sale to their La Liga rivals. Arsenal remained braced throughout the summer amid the chance that Alvarez was keen on a move after learning a move across Spain would not be possible, but it never materialised.

Alvarez missed several training sessions in the days leading up to the deadline, with illness given as the reason, and did not travel with the squad for their league fixture against Sevilla.

Speaking to Movistar Plus+ at the Champions League's league phase draw in late August, Atlético chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín suggested the forward had been badly advised.

During Arsenal's interest, he claimed, ‘Julian is really struggling. There have been people who have set out to deceive and confuse him, and I’m very sorry about that.’

Gil Marín also made it clear that Atlético would consider offers if Alvarez wanted to leave, but insisted that one destination was off the table, adding, ‘It will never, ever be Barcelona.’

Alvarez ultimately stayed in the Spanish capital, but reports now claim Hidalgo no longer represents him after almost a decade together.

The striker has now chosen Pablo Barquero as his new agent, according to Mundo Deportivo. Barquero also represents Rodri and helped to facilitate the midfielder’s move o Barcelona from Manchester City this summer.

The summer saga appears to have affected Alvarez’s standing at Atlético. He has been restricted to substitute appearances in La Liga this season, with his only start coming in the Champions League at Anfield, where he provided the assist for Atlético’s opener against Liverpool.

Whether a new agent opens the door to a future move remains to be seen, with Barquero’s recent involvement in one of the summer’s biggest transfers likely to attract attention from interested clubs.

Arsenal’s own striker situation has been a talking point in recent weeks, with Viktor Gyökeres struggling for opportunities as Kai Havertz remains Mikel Arteta’s preferred option.