Barcelona is reportedly poised to submit its first official offer for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, intensifying their pursuit of the Argentina international. The move comes as Alvarez has made his desire to leave Atletico Madrid clear, rejecting a contract extension months ago.
The reigning La Liga champions are pushing aggressively to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2026-27 season, with Alvarez identified as their primary target for the center-forward role. Direct discussions have already taken place between Barcelona sporting director Deco and Alvarez’s representatives, signaling the club’s serious intent.
Fabrizio Romano reported that Barcelona is preparing a formal bid “without any players included,” focusing solely on a cash offer. Romano also stated that the 26-year-old striker informed Atletico Madrid of his wish to depart after turning down a new deal. You can see his report here.
Financial hurdle in Alvarez pursuit
Despite Alvarez’s apparent desire to move, securing his signature will be a significant challenge for Barcelona. Atletico Madrid is understandably reluctant to lose a key player, especially to a direct La Liga rival. The capital club is reportedly seeking a transfer fee close to €150 million for their star striker.
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Barcelona, however, has set an internal limit for the operation, aiming to complete any deal for around €100 million. This €50 million disparity between the two clubs’ valuations could prove to be a major sticking point in negotiations. According to the spanish outlet Mundo Desportivo, a crucial meeting involving Deco, Alvarez’s agent Fernando Hidalgo, and intermediary Juanma Lopez recently took place, indicating the complexity of the discussions.
Barcelona’s broader transfer strategy
The pursuit of Alvarez is part of Barcelona’s broader, aggressive summer transfer strategy. The club is keen to finalize major deals before the 2026 FIFA World Cup commences, aiming to secure their targets well in advance. In addition to their focus on Alvarez, Barcelona has also made progress toward signing Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, signaling a comprehensive effort to reshape their squad for future campaigns.
𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: According to 433, Barcelona have reportedly made their opening move for Julian Alvarez, with Spanish reports claiming the club has submitted an initial offer worth around €100 million for the Atletico Madrid forward. 🇦🇷
Joan Laporta and Deco are believed to be heavily involved in the negotiations as Barcelona look to accelerate talks ahead of the new season.
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Alvarez has also reportedly expressed a strong interest in joining Barcelona after previously rejecting a contract extension at Atletico Madrid.
Sources: www.mundodeportivo.com, x.com/FabrizioRomano, 433
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