Alvarez staying with Atletico Madrid for now
Diego Simeone has promised to look after Julian Alvarez after a drawn-out transfer saga ahead of Atletico Madrid's home LaLiga opener against Villarreal.
Alvarez had been heavily linked with a move to rival Barcelona, but Atletico consistently remained firm in its stance that the striker was not for sale.
Simeone has now confirmed the Argentinean will stay with his club this season, insisting he is still central to Atleti's plans.
The 26-year-old did not feature in Atletico's season-opening win over Malaga on Thursday (AEST), with Lee Kang-in and Alex Baena netting in a 2-0 victory.
"The doubts about Alvarez's situation do not exist, and Miguel Angel [Gil Marin, Atletico CEO] spoke clearly," Simeone said.
"For me, Julian is a very important player for achieving the objectives on the sporting level.
"We will be with him, and we will take care of him from the sporting side. Why? Because he is our player, and as long as he is at Atletico, I will look after him and protect him.”
Asked about Alvarez's conduct ahead of Monday's (AEST) match, Simeone praised the striker's professionalism, adding: "It is difficult for any individual to determine how someone else feels, because I am not that person.
"What I see is that he is working in the best possible way, and training with his team-mates with great respect for everyone.
"I have no doubt about the path we have decided to take with the club, which is to build a big team, as that is our goal.
"The important thing must be the Villarreal match and not any other matter, and that is what I am focused on.
"Julian will be included in the squad for the match, and he is in a better position now in terms of readiness and preparation.”
Simeone will perhaps be extra eager for a response against Villarreal after Atletico suffered the heaviest defeat of his tenure in their previous LaLiga meeting, losing 5-1 in May.
The Rojiblancos, however, have not lost consecutive league matches to Villarreal since April 2017.
Villarreal, meanwhile, was held to a 2-2 draw by Racing Santander in its season opener last weekend.
