Barcelona are preparing a new attempt to advance their pursuit of Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, with the Argentina international’s representatives expected in the Catalan capital this week to agree a strategy with the club.
The planned visit comes as Barcelona continue to regard the 26-year-old as their leading transfer target, despite Atletico Madrid’s firm refusal to enter negotiations over his departure.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Alvarez has been Barcelona’s principal objective in the transfer market for several months. The club see him not only as a way to strengthen their attack, but also as the most important strategic signing they want to make.
However, Atletico’s uncompromising position has brought progress in the proposed deal to a standstill. The Madrid club has completely closed the door on negotiations, leaving Barcelona and Alvarez’s representatives to consider how the situation might be changed.
The player’s agents are therefore planning to travel to Barcelona in the coming days. Their purpose will be to work with the Catalan club on a joint approach aimed at trying to revive the transfer and create movement in a deal that has so far failed to develop.
Barcelona also want Alvarez to take a further step in making his position clear publicly. During the World Cup, he called on his club to allow him to leave so that he could pursue his dream.
The Catalan club now want the striker to state explicitly that his preference is to play for Barcelona. If Alvarez makes that declaration, Barcelona are prepared to increase their offer from the €100m proposal already submitted to €115m.
That position would represent a significant increase in the club’s financial commitment, although Atletico Madrid’s refusal to negotiate remains the central obstacle to any agreement.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick indicated on Monday that he is aligned with the work being carried out by sporting director Deco. Flick made the comments at the end of the team’s training camp in England, while also acknowledging that Barcelona know they must act to reinforce their attacking options.
The meeting between Alvarez’s agents and Barcelona is expected to focus on how best to move the transfer forward, rather than on an agreement already being close. The club’s interest remains strong, but Atletico Madrid’s stance means the next stage could depend heavily on the player making his wishes more direct and public.
Barcelona’s existing €100m offer, the possible increase to €115m and Alvarez’s potential declaration of intent are now part of the strategy being considered by his representatives and the club. For now, though, the transfer remains blocked by Atletico Madrid’s insistence that there will be no negotiations.
