Barça Can’T Sign Álvarez — So They Found an Equally Expensive Alternative

Atlético Madrid still have no intention of discussing Julián Álvarez with Barcelona. According to Diario Sport, Deco has therefore pulled Eli Junior Kroupi’s name back out of the drawer. The good news is that Barça have found their Plan B. The bad news is that he would cost around €100 million.

The 20-year-old Bournemouth striker scored 13 goals in 33 Premier League appearances last season. His talent is undeniable, but the English club do not want to sell and have placed a suitably prohibitive price tag on him. Barcelona’s response to an almost impossible €130 million transfer is apparently to consider another almost impossible transfer for €100 million.

Laporta has given Atlético until the end of July, but the club in Madrid remain unmoved by Barcelona’s ultimatum. Barça have therefore started looking for an alternative to Álvarez, only to choose one who may be just as difficult to sign. The names keep changing, the fees remain absurd, and Deco’s new striker still exists mainly in newspaper headlines.