Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo is convinced Julian Alvarez wants to play at Atletico Madrid amid speculation over his future.

The former Manchester City striker has been in poor form and has not scored since the Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven on December 9. His last league goal came on 1 November against Sevilla.

Despite his drought, Álvarez has been consistently linked with a stay away from the metropolitans.

A return to the Premier League is seen as a possibility for Alvarez, along with a potential switch to Barcelona, ​​who Atlético face in the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Thursday.

Barca defender Ronald Araujo fanned the flames ahead of that fixture by expressing his desire for Alvarez to join the Blaugrana.

Speaking to reporters before the official directors’ lunch ahead of the Copa clash, Cerezo reacted to Araujo’s comments.

“Araujo can say what he wants, but I don’t think Araujo is anyone at Atletico Madrid to say anything,” Cerezo said.

“Araujo is a good defender, and tonight, let him concede a goal, and you will see how we forgive him for everything.”

Pressing further on the speculation surrounding Alvarez, Cerezo made it clear that he hopes the Argentina international will stay with the Rojiblancos.

“It hurts the player, it hurts us and it hurts everyone, especially when we don’t know anything,” Cerezo added.

“Players play where they want and Julian wants to play at Atlético de Madrid. I’m absolutely sure.”

Alvarez is under contract until 2030 after joining from City in 2024 in a deal worth up to €95 million (£81.8 million).

He scored 29 goals in 57 games in all competitions last season, but has found the net just 11 times in 32 appearances so far this campaign.

Cerezo, however, is hopeful that the run-up to the semi-final clash with Barca can inspire Alvarez to turn his form around.

“I have full confidence in the team, because it is a good team,” he said.

“Besides, Julian’s having a bad season, things aren’t going the way he wants, and we all don’t want things to turn out the way we want them to. But there will come a day when things go well, which could be tonight.”

Asked if Alvarez would stay with Atlético for several seasons, Cerezo replied: “I think so, and I’m not lying to you.”

Atlético have not won a major trophy since beating Barcelona and Real Madrid to the LaLiga title in 2021.

If they beat Barca over two legs in the semi-finals, they will be favorites to win the Copa. Real Sociedad leads Athletic Bilbao 1-0 from the first leg of the second last-four tie. Atlético have not won the Copa since 2013.

With Atletico 13 points behind Barca in La Liga, the Copa potentially represents their best hope of glory this season.

On the prospect of winning trophies, Cerezo said: “We want to win something, the Copa could be a solution. LaLiga, although we are far away, we can play a good role.

“There are still two games to play to qualify for the round of 16 in the Champions League. I don’t leave LaLiga. I don’t leave anything until it happens mathematically.”