Julian Alvarez splits from long-time agent over being ‘deceived and confused’ after Arsenal pursuit
Julian Alvarez wanted to join Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window. Real Madrid also had a £127million offer rejected, with Arsenal keen
Julian Alvarez endured a summer of transfer speculation(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez is widely reported to have severed ties with long-standing agent Fernando Hidalgo six weeks after Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin alleged their player had been “deceived and confused” during the summer transfer window.
Hidalgo has represented the Argentina international since coming through River Plate’s academy. He negotiated his £14million transfer to Manchester City in 2022 and the £82million deal Atletico agreed with them two and a half years later.
However, Hidalgo’s relationship with the La Liga club seemingly soured during this summer’s transfer saga. Alvarez stayed at Atletico, but appears to be changing his representation.
Julian Alvarez missed multiple Atletico Madrid training sessions back in August(Image: OSCAR DEL POZO, AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal were amongst numerous clubs eager to secure his signature, along with Barcelona and Real Madrid. Atletico, nevertheless, remained adamant about never selling to the Catalan outfit and rejected a £127million bid from their city rivals.
Alvarez was absent from several training sessions before the transfer deadline, citing illness. The striker also failed to travel for their away La Liga fixture against Sevilla.
Gil Marin told Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus+ during that period: “Julian is really struggling. There have been people who have set out to deceive and confuse him, and I’m very sorry about that.”
Atletico Madrid have only used Julian Alvarez as a substitute in La Liga so far this season(Image: ANDER GILLENEA, AFP via Getty Images)
The club’s CEO added: “I know him and we’ve been working with him for some time. He’s a great professional and footballer, but he’s very confused and going through a very difficult time, both personally and professionally.”
It was also then acknowledged that: “If he believes that staying at Atletico is no longer feasible, we will look for an alternative. But it will never, ever be Barcelona.”
Alvarez ultimately remained, but his representative apparently has not. It is being reported in both Argentina and Spain that Hidalgo no longer represents the player who has been his client for almost a decade.
Julian Alvarez appears to be in the process of changing his agent(Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Getty Images)
Javier Pastore is reportedly in line to become Alvarez’s new representative, having established The Elegant Game agency towards the end of last year. The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder already looks after Enzo Fernandez, orchestrating his switch from Chelsea to Manchester City this summer.
Both players came up through River Plate’s youth system before featuring together in the first team. They departed for Europe within six months of one another and have since become key figures for Argentina.
The ex-City striker has been limited to substitute appearances in La Liga this campaign. His sole starting berth for Atletico came in the Champions League clash with Liverpool at Anfield, where he provided an assist for their opener.
