Yamal is neither Barcelona’s president, sporting director nor head coach. He has still spent much of the past six weeks openly recruiting a €200m target from another La Liga club.

In an interview with Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, picked up by Goal, the teenager made his pitch as directly as any agent could.

“Everyone knows he’s a top player, the kind everyone wants to play for. I’ve already said it: we’re open to welcoming him, and if he comes, we’ll all be very happy. I think he’s a great fit for Barca’s style. I have no idea what the situation is, but I hope so.”

“He is coming to the best club in the world, the best fans in the world, and the best city in the world, in my opinion. So, if I were him, I’d do it. If he wants to come, we are waiting for him, go ahead.”

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In a separate exchange reported by Get Spanish Football News, Yamal called Álvarez “absolutely perfect for Barça’s style”.

He added that the squad would “wait for him at Barça with open arms.”

Simeone shuts every door in Madrid

Barcelona have already had offers of €100m, €150m and even €200m turned down for the 26-year-old Argentine, according to beIN Sports. Atlético’s hierarchy, led by chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and president Enrique Cerezo, has refused to open formal talks.

“The situation is very clear. The club made a decision that Miguel Ángel Gil Marín explained very well,” the Atlético coach said.

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Simeone added that Atlético “will certainly help him continue to grow” from a sporting perspective.

Deco meets Álvarez’s agent in Madrid

Sporting director Deco flew to Madrid earlier this month for a discreet meeting with Álvarez’s agent Fernando Hidalgo, according to beIN Sports, and is leaning on the player to force the issue from the inside rather than shouting from the outside.

Head coach Hansi Flick, meanwhile, has told the club he needs another elite No. 9 to compete for titles, particularly if Ferran Torres leaves, Goal reported.

Monday’s return puts the ball in Álvarez’s court

Álvarez returned to Atlético pre-season training on Monday, 10 August, the date Barcelona had privately marked as pivotal for their pursuit. If the striker formally tells Simeone and the club’s hierarchy that he wants to leave, Atlético will have to decide whether to hold their line or open the door to negotiations.

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Without that request from the player, the €200m Barcelona have already put on the table will not shift Atlético, and the deadline the Catalans set for themselves will pass with the saga unresolved.

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