Barcelona give themselves three days to sign julián. Atlético Madrid still say “no”
Barcelona are preparing to make one final attempt to sign Julián Álvarez. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan club have set themselves a short deadline: if no realistic route to a transfer emerges within the next two or three days, they will turn to alternative strikers.
The Argentinian remains Hansi Flick’s preferred candidate to strengthen the attack. Following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona need a new number nine, and Álvarez has long occupied the leading position on their shortlist.
There is, however, one considerable obstacle. Atlético Madrid continue to insist that the striker is not for sale. President Enrique Cerezo and chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín have both publicly rejected the possibility of a departure.
Barcelona can set a deadline for themselves, but they cannot set one for Atlético to change their mind.
Álvarez’s absence from the squad for the league match against Málaga inevitably attracted further attention. In the middle of a transfer story, it would be easy to present that decision as a significant signal, but Diego Simeone offered a sporting explanation.
The Atlético coach said that Álvarez had returned late following the World Cup, had trained with the team for only around a week and had not played in any pre-season friendly. There is therefore no reliable basis for describing his omission as a protest or an attempt to force a transfer.
Mundo Deportivo nevertheless reports that the player would like to join Barcelona. The next few days should reveal whether the Catalan club can make an offer capable of opening genuine negotiations. At present, there is no accepted bid, no agreement between the clubs and no indication that Atlético have authorised a sale.
Barcelona begin their league campaign away to Elche on Sunday, while the transfer window remains open until 1 September. The club do not intend to wait until deadline day. If Atlético’s position remains unchanged over the next two or three days, Barça are expected to activate an alternative plan.
There is interest, an internal deadline and a striker personally favoured by Flick. Only one minor detail is missing: the consent of the club that actually owns him.
In Barcelona, the word “no” apparently still sounds like an invitation to hold one more meeting. The clock is now ticking — although, for the moment, it is ticking inside Barcelona’s offices rather than Atlético Madrid’s.
Sources: Mundo Deportivo, Cadena SER
