La Araña returned to full-team training after missing several sessions due to an illness. He had returned to the training complex on Friday but completed an individual session before being left out of the squad for the 3-1 victory over Sevilla in LaLiga. On Sunday, he finally rejoined the group.

His return does not necessarily mean everything that has happened over the past few weeks has been forgotten, but it does represent a first step toward restoring some normality after one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer in Europe.

Simeone Wants to Get Julián Back

Diego Simeone’s position has been quite clear throughout the situation: as long as Julián remains an Atlético player, the coaching staff will try to get him back on track and turn him into an important part of the team once again.

After the victory over Sevilla, Cholo once again publicly backed the striker and explained that he is going through a personal process, while emphasizing that he still considers him an extraordinary player whom the team will try to help.

The sporting department is also hoping to have the Argentine back as soon as possible. Mateu Alemany, Atlético’s Director of Professional Football, explained before the match against Sevilla that he had personally spoken with Julián and that the expectation was to have him available again for the next LaLiga match against Athletic Club.

His return to full-team training now opens precisely that possibility.

Manchester City Also Asked About Bringing Him Back

While Julián remained away from the group, his name continued to appear on the radar of several major clubs.

As we previously reported, Manchester City asked about the conditions of a potential deal to bring back the striker, who played for the club between 2022 and 2024. The Argentine knows Manchester perfectly well after spending two seasons in England, where he won virtually everything before leaving for Atlético.

However, that scenario has always faced one major obstacle: Julián does not consider a return to the Premier League his priority.

Arsenal also emerged as an alternative, but once again, the player’s preference has complicated that possibility.

For much of this transfer window, his desire has been to play for FC Barcelona, but that door has practically closed after Atlético’s board made it clear that it would not negotiate with the Catalan club.

The First Step Toward a Return to Normality?

Julián has featured in only one of Atlético’s three matches this season. He played in the 2-2 draw against Villarreal at the Metropolitano, amid a difficult atmosphere with part of the fan base, and was subsequently left out against Sevilla.

Meanwhile, Atlético showed that they can respond offensively without their striker. Álex Baena took center stage as a false nine against Sevilla and scored twice in a victory that took the team to seven points after three matches.

That does not mean Simeone does not need Julián.

The Argentine remains one of the most important forwards in the squad and is under contract with Atlético Madrid until 2030. The coach’s position has also consistently been to try to get him back on track as long as he remains at the club.

The transfer window is not over yet, and any movement during the final hours could completely change the situation once again.

But after days of rumors, absences, individual training sessions and potential destinations that included Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester City, Julián Álvarez is back where Atlético wanted to see him: training alongside the rest of his teammates.

Now the question is whether this reunion will also mark the beginning of a sporting reconciliation between La Araña and Atlético Madrid.

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