Barcelona have taken a significant step in their attempt to sign Atletico de Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, with sporting director Deco travelling to Madrid for discussions over a possible summer transfer.
The Argentina international, 26, is Barcelona’s main target as they look to strengthen their attack. The club has already begun taking concrete steps to bring him to Camp Nou, despite Atletico’s continued refusal to sanction his departure.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Deco made the journey to the Spanish capital on Tuesday alongside his assistant, Joao Amaral. Their objective is to make progress on a deal for Alvarez, who Barcelona regard as their preferred attacking reinforcement.
The visit represents a serious attempt by Barcelona to advance negotiations, although Atletico remain firmly opposed to allowing the striker to join the Catalan club. Alvarez is nevertheless understood to want a move to Barcelona, and that preference could help Barcelona in their efforts to reach an agreement.
A meeting between Deco, Joao Amaral and Fernando Hidalgo, Alvarez’s representative, is scheduled to take place in the coming hours. The discussions are expected to focus on the player’s position and the possibility of moving negotiations forward.
Barcelona believe Alvarez’s desire to leave Atletico could make the deal easier to complete. The club also continues to view the Argentine as the key target for improving its forward line, making his potential arrival a priority during the current summer transfer window.
Alvarez remains under contract with Atletico de Madrid until 2030. That long-term agreement strengthens Atletico’s position and helps explain the club’s resistance to a transfer, while Barcelona hope the player will make another gesture to demonstrate his wish to leave.
The latest developments follow Barcelona’s efforts to find a route through Atletico’s opposition. The Madrid club have so far maintained their stance, but the presence of Deco and Joao Amaral in the capital signals that Barcelona are prepared to engage directly in the process.
For now, no agreement has been reached and Atletico have not changed their position. However, Barcelona’s visit and the planned meeting with Hidalgo could accelerate the talks over Alvarez’s future and provide a clearer indication of whether the striker’s preference can influence the outcome.
