Julián Álvarez splits with agent Fernando Hidalgo after Barcelona saga

Julián Álvarez has decided to turn the page in his career, though not on the field: in his inner circle. The Argentine striker will stop working with Fernando Hidalgo, the agent who accompanied him over the past several years, after a transfer window that left more wounds than certainties at Atlético Madrid.

The reason? The failed attempt to sign with Barcelona during the last transfer window, a saga that strained the relationship between the player, his camp and the Atlético hierarchy. Now, the name gaining the most traction to take charge of his career is Javier Pastore, the former Argentina international who already represents Enzo Fernández. According to a report from Cadena SER, talks between Pastore and Álvarez's camp are well advanced, though the deal has yet to be formally closed.

The backdrop to this change has to do with a transfer window that turned uncomfortable for everyone involved. Julián had let it be known that he wanted to leave the club, something that caused unease both in the locker room and in Atlético's front office. Those close to the striker believe that the way the situation was handled publicly ended up exposing him more than necessary.

There was a way it was handled that was well received internally and changed the perception of Julián. Julián was sent out to take the hit, and that has nothing to do with his personalityNico Distacio

The club itself applied pressure at the time. In August, CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín went directly after the player's camp, claiming that certain people had set out to "deceive and confuse him." Hidalgo's response wasn't long in coming: hours later, he shared a reflection on Instagram that many read as a direct reply to those accusations.

Never ask a liar why he lied. To explain it, he'd have to lie againFernando Hidalgo

While all of this played out off the field, Atlético never budged an inch from its stance: the club held firm on the 500 million euro release clause and made it clear it had no intention of negotiating the exit of one of its stars. In the end, the move to Barcelona fell through and Julián remained under Diego Simeone's command.

Simeone himself addressed the situation at a press conference in Majadahonda, striking a tone meant to cool things down and look ahead.

I see Julián doing well, with enthusiasm, giving his best, as he's always done, and we hope that what we've talked about he can show on the field and get back to that important level he has within the team, which takes us to a different place in attack when he's at his bestDiego Simeone

The challenge ahead for the Spider is now twofold: regaining his best form on the pitch and rebuilding his relationship with the club and its fans. Still, it's worth not jumping to conclusions about his future there. Nico Distacio reiterated that the striker feels his time at Atlético could be nearing its end, and did not rule out fresh developments regarding his future when the January window opens.

The agent change, in that sense, looks like the first step in a broader shakeup of Julián's inner circle. For now, his immediate priority is reclaiming his place in Madrid, though the door to a departure, far from closed, remains ajar.