Fans in stitches at Julian Alvarez’s ‘hostage photos’ as Atletico Madrid release official snaps after transfer saga

JULIAN ALVAREZ was denied a dream move to Barcelona before the transfer window slammed shut – and he’s clearly still seething. Atletico Madrid refused to sell the striker, 26, to their LaLiga rivals ahead of the deadline. Julian Alvarez looked unhappy as he posed for official Atletico Madrid snaps Credit: Getty The Argentine had a dream move to Barcelona blocked Credit: Getty It resulted in Alvarez, who snubbed a money-spinning switch to Arsenal, being forced to stay in the Spanish capital. And the Argentine clearly hasn’t got over it if his mood at Atleti’s official Champions League photoshoot is anything to go by. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Alvarez struggled to raise a smile as he posed for snaps while wearing Atletico’s famous red and white home strip. And fans raced onto social media to poke fun at the former Manchester City man. One said: “Hostage photos.” Another added: “Hide the pain Julian.” A third chimed in: “Genuinely seen 14-year-old boys at a school disco deal better with disappointment than this dude.” A fourth stunned football fan noted: “Nothing to smile about in his life.” Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS And a fifth cheekily noted: “The Prisoner of Atletizkaban.” Atletico supporters lashed out at Alvarez when he tried to force a move to Barcelona last month. The wantaway World Cup winner was blocked from approaching fans following his side’s LaLiga season opener. And Alvarez missed training sessions through illness as the situation got even more tense behind the scenes. Alvarez snubbed the chance to join Arsenal in the final days of the transfer window Credit: Getty The striker is preparing for the Champions League Credit: Getty Atletico are set to face the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the league phase of the Champions League. But boss Diego Simeone has only handed Alvarez two substitute appearances in the early stages of the season. Comment now