The summer of 2024 was one of those transfer windows that will always be remembered in the football world because of the endless rumors, twists, and wild stories that flooded the headlines every single day. Out of all the stories that came out, one of the loudest whispers was about Julian Alvarez, the Argentine World Cup winner, who was then still a Manchester City player, being wanted by Liverpool in a shocking swap deal. The story claimed that Liverpool were ready to sacrifice one of their most talented and loved players, Luis Diaz, in order to bring Alvarez to Anfield. It was a rumor that caught fire quickly, spreading through fans, journalists, and social media platforms like a storm, and many people actually believed that it could be true. Liverpool fans debated about it endlessly, Manchester City fans panicked about the possibility of losing another jewel, and Atletico Madrid fans, who later became Alvarez’s new family, had no idea that such drama was surrounding the striker before he even arrived in Spain. But now, more than a year later, Alvarez’s own agent, Fernando Hidalgo, has finally spoken out about those reports, and his words have poured cold water on everything, leaving the truth clear for the first time.
Hidalgo explained that there was never an official offer from Liverpool, there were never negotiations, and Atletico Madrid never had the intention of selling their striker once they had secured him. For Liverpool fans who thought that their club had tried and failed, the reality is different: the Reds never even had the chance to put an official bid on the table. Hidalgo wanted everyone to know that his client, Julian Alvarez, is happy at Atletico Madrid, committed to Diego Simeone’s project, and not even considering leaving the Spanish capital. These words might sound simple, but they carry huge weight because they kill one of the biggest rumors that kept fans talking for months.
To understand why the rumor gained so much strength, we must go back to that time and look at the situation of all the clubs involved. Liverpool were in a rebuilding phase after a difficult period when Jurgen Klopp’s era was coming to an end. The club knew they needed a new spark, a new talisman, and someone who could lead their attack in the next chapter of their history. Luis Diaz was one of their brightest players, but there were whispers that he could be sacrificed to bring in someone who could score goals at the same rate as Mohamed Salah, or even take over from Salah in the future. Julian Alvarez’s name popped up because he had already proven himself on the biggest stage by helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He was young, hungry, full of energy, and already had experience at Manchester City, playing under Pep Guardiola. For Liverpool, he looked like the perfect addition.
On the other side, Manchester City were never going to make things easy. Alvarez was part of Guardiola’s squad that conquered Europe, and although Erling Haaland was the main man in attack, Alvarez offered something different with his movement, his pressing, and his ability to link midfield and attack. Selling him to Liverpool, a direct rival, would have been unthinkable for City. That is why the story of a swap involving Luis Diaz became so sensational: it felt like the only way such a deal could happen. Diaz would give City another dangerous winger, and Alvarez would give Liverpool their new striker. On paper, it made sense, but football is not just about paper, it is about politics, strategies, and deeper decisions that the outside world cannot always see.
As the days passed in that transfer window, reports from England, Spain, and even South America kept repeating the same idea: Liverpool wanted Alvarez, and they were ready to make a bold move. Fans online were already creating mock-up photos of Alvarez in a Liverpool shirt, imagining how he would look playing in front of the Kop, scoring goals in the Premier League with the famous red jersey. But what nobody knew at that time was that Atletico Madrid were quietly working in the background, preparing to strike and secure Alvarez for themselves. Diego Simeone, a coach who has always loved players with energy, passion, and discipline, saw Alvarez as the perfect striker for his system. Atletico were ready to pay big money, and when the right moment came, they closed the deal. Alvarez moved to Madrid, not Liverpool, and suddenly all the stories about a swap deal with Diaz faded into silence. Still, the whispers did not completely die, because fans kept asking: was it really true that Liverpool wanted him? Were there secret talks that failed? Could it have happened if Atletico did not act so fast?
Now, thanks to Fernando Hidalgo, we know the reality. He told Erem News that there were no official offers, no negotiations, and that Atletico never wanted to sell Alvarez once he joined. In his words, everything that was said about Liverpool’s bid was false. He wanted to make it clear that his client was focused on his work in Madrid and nothing else. For Atletico fans, this was music to their ears. Alvarez had already given them 29 goals in his debut season, proving to be worth every bit of the £82 million they spent. He became one of the most dangerous forwards in Spain, scoring in La Liga, scoring in the Champions League, and becoming a key figure in Simeone’s attack. Letting him go was never an option. For Liverpool fans, however, Hidalgo’s words might bring a bit of disappointment, because they now know their club never even had the chance to bring him in.
But the story also shows something deeper about how football transfers work. Many times, fans believe rumors because they sound exciting, and media outlets love to spread them because they bring attention, clicks, and endless debates. The idea of Alvarez joining Liverpool was one of those stories that felt almost too dramatic to be ignored. The reality, however, was more simple: Liverpool rebuilt their squad in other ways. They went into the market, brought in Alexander Isak from Newcastle, and also added Hugo Ekitike, giving Arne Slot, the new manager, fresh firepower for his first season. Liverpool’s path did not include Alvarez, but they still managed to create excitement with new faces and a new project. Alvarez, meanwhile, settled into life in Spain, where Atletico fans embraced him as their own.
The World Cup winner showed immediately why Simeone had pushed so hard to sign him. His pressing, his goals, his versatility, and his spirit turned him into a fan favorite. From scoring decisive goals against Real Madrid to keeping Atletico competitive in Europe, Alvarez became the face of their new era. For Simeone, he was not just a player, he was a weapon that fit into his football philosophy perfectly. The connection between the two grew stronger, and by the end of the season, nobody at Atletico was even thinking about the possibility of selling him. This is why Hidalgo’s words made so much sense. When he said Alvarez was fully committed, it was not just an empty line. It reflected reality. The striker is happy in Madrid, enjoying his football, and building his name as one of the best forwards in the world.
For Liverpool, the story will remain one of those “what if” moments in football history. What if they had actually pushed for Alvarez before Atletico stepped in? What if Manchester City had been open to a swap deal involving Diaz? Would Alvarez have become the new hero at Anfield, leading the line alongside Salah and Isak? Or would the move have failed because of the pressure that comes with wearing the famous red shirt? These questions will never be answered, and maybe that is why the rumor lasted so long. Football is full of these alternate realities, stories of deals that never happened, but still live in the imagination of fans.
As of now, the truth is clear. Alvarez is not going anywhere. Atletico are building around him, and Simeone is determined to make him the star that takes the club closer to La Liga and Champions League glory. Liverpool, on the other hand, have moved on, investing in new signings and shaping their squad for Arne Slot’s vision. The connection between the two stories will always remain, but the paths are now separate. The only time Alvarez and Liverpool will meet is on the pitch, not in the transfer market. And interestingly, that is exactly what will happen this week in the Champions League. Atletico Madrid are set to face Liverpool, and all the talk about what could have been will return for ninety minutes when Alvarez lines up against the very club that was once rumored to want him. For fans, it will be another chance to imagine the alternate reality, but for Alvarez, there is no confusion. He will step onto the pitch as an Atletico Madrid striker, not a Liverpool player, and his only mission will be to score goals for the red-and-white side of Madrid.
That is how football works. Rumors can burn like fire, but eventually the truth always comes out. In this case, the truth is that Liverpool never made an official move, Manchester City never agreed to anything, and Atletico Madrid never let go of their jewel. Julian Alvarez remains an Atleti player, a World Cup winner, a proven goalscorer, and above all, a man committed to his club’s future. His story is just beginning in Spain, and the idea of him wearing a Liverpool shirt will remain nothing more than a dream that never came true. But as football fans know, dreams like that often fuel the drama of the game, making every transfer window an endless theater of hope, fear, and imagination
