Rodri would welcome Alvarez to Barcelona 'without hesitation'

Rodri believes Julian Alvarez is "a sensational player" and would welcome him to Barcelona "without hesitation".

Alvarez's transfer saga dominated much of the summer window, with the Atletico Madrid forward openly seeking a move away from the club to join Barca.

Arsenal and Real Madrid were also interested in signing the Argentina international, with the latter seeing a €150m bid rejected by their cross-city rivals.

Amid Barca's public pursuit of the striker, Atleti revealed they would not sell to the reigning LaLiga champions at any cost.

Hansi Flick's side did sign Rodri, who spent two years with Alvarez at Manchester City, this summer, and the midfielder would jump at the chance to reunite with his former team-mate at Camp Nou.

"Would I sign him here? Of course," Rodri told Mundo Deportivo. "I think he is a sensational player. I would take him here without hesitation.

"I had the chance to play with him for two years, and I think he is an incredible player, truly incredible.

"He has almost played more often as a number 10 than as a number nine, even though he initially came from a number nine position.

"But he has also adapted to a role where he can play as an attacking midfielder, a playmaker, and he has even played matches as a central midfielder. He is truly a spectacular player."

During their two seasons together in Manchester, Alvarez and Rodri won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

Alvarez scored 36 goals and provided 17 assists under Pep Guardiola, though he was often used as a backup option behind Erling Haaland.

Rodri and Alvarez lost just once when starting together in 48 games (W38 D9), though with four years left on his Atleti contract, a move to Barca seems unlikely for the 26-year-old.