Simeone says 'anything can happen' as Alvarez continues to push for Atleti exit

Diego Simeone admits anything can happen in the final few days of the transfer window, but the Atletico Madrid boss still does not expect Julian Alvarez to depart.

Alvarez was absent from Atleti's matchday squad on Saturday as they went top of LaLiga with a 3-1 victory at Sevilla, with Alex Baena scoring twice and Ademola Lookman also on target.

The Argentina striker, who matched Alexander Sorloth as Atleti's joint-leading scorer in all competitions last season with 20 goals, has repeatedly outlined his desire to join Barcelona this summer.

He was booed by Atleti's fans following last week's draw with Villarreal and then missed training ahead of the Sevilla match, though Los Colchoneros continue to insist they will not entertain any deal with Barca.

Following Saturday's game, Simeone was asked if he could provide any further updates on Alvarez's future, with the window set to slam shut on Tuesday.

"I'm not saying this now because of Julian, but I always say that something can always happen. Every year I say it," he told Movistar+.

"It's football and something can always happen, but I'm not saying this for any special reason."

Since the start of 2020-21, no team has inflicted more LaLiga defeats upon Atleti than Sevilla's four, level with Barcelona and Athletic Club.

But Los Colchoneros got the better of that hoodoo on Saturday, largely thanks to Baena's first-half brilliance. 

Having scored in Atleti's season opener against Malaga before assisting versus Villarreal on matchday two, Baena is the first player to register a direct goal involvement in each of Los Colchoneros' first three games of a LaLiga campaign since Angel Correa in 2021-22. 

And Simeone feels Spain's World Cup triumph – in which Baena played a key role by starting seven of eight games – has given the attacking midfielder a major confidence boost following his inconsistent debut campaign at the Estadio Metropolitano.

"He was unbalanced – last year he started at a very good level and we could put him anywhere, and he would always respond," Simeone said of Baena. 

"The confidence, security, joy and the emotional aspect of the World Cup was very good for him, and today I told him this would serve to enhance everything he is.

"He is a difference-maker and we see him at that level. He showed that today, and we are going to demand that level from him."

Atletico Madrid visit Athletic for their fourth match of the LaLiga season on Saturday, with seven points already on the board, before opening their Champions League campaign against Liverpool on September 9.