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What is that?
Barcelona remain interested in signing Argentine striker Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid as a successor to Robert Lewandowski, but are refusing to enter a price war above their first offer of €100m, given Real’s insistence they will keep hold of their star.
Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo reports that the situation in the corridors of the Camp Nou is not causing any concern, as the management believe they already have plenty of options in attack after joining England’s Anthony Gordon and Germany’s Karim Adeyemi, in addition to the possibility of bringing in Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Rafinha as direct forwards.
Positive expectations, do not rush
The newspaper says coach Hansi Flick still values Alvarez, but the Catalan club’s management prefers to wait for possible developments rather than rush into a move that is considered too complicated, especially given Atletico Madrid’s refusal to part with the player for less than they set.
For his part, Ashraf Ben Ayad, a journalist close to the Catalan club’s circle, said on his Facebook page that “Barcelona is fully aware that Atletico will not change its position towards Julián, adding that “now the expectation is focused on how much a new step will be from the player himself.”
The countdown has begun
Ben Ayad confirmed that “the countdown has begun to resolve this file”, suggesting the ball is now in Alvarez’s court, whose personal intervention and pressure on his current club could be the only key to completing the deal.
Barcelona made an official offer of 100 million euros at the end of last May, but Atletico Madrid rejected it, insisting on keeping their 27-year-old striker, who is considered one of the Rojiblancos’ most popular attacking weapons.
Patience strategy
Barcelona seem to have opted for a wait-and-see strategy based on their belief that time can play in their favour, especially if the player expresses an open desire to move to the Blaugrana.
Strengthening the attack line with new faces also gave the Catalan administration more room to maneuver and not rush to finalize the deal at all costs.
