Julian Alvarez or no one: Barcelona put Plan B on hold

Barcelona’s latest deadline for Julian Alvarez has passed. The pursuit has not.

The club had reportedly decided to wait until Monday, August 24 for a breakthrough before turning to other centre-forward options. Monday came and went without Atletico Madrid changing their position. Barcelona’s response is apparently to extend the deadline and keep waiting.

Reports cited by Barca Blaugranes claim that Hansi Flick and Deco are prepared to remain patient until the summer transfer window closes. Alvarez is still their preferred choice and Barcelona will be ready to act if Atletico finally become willing to negotiate during the final days of the window.

That represents a change from the plan reported by La Vanguardia last week. Deco was expected to explore the market once the Alvarez deadline expired, with Lautaro Martinez and Club Brugge forward Nicolo Tresoldi among the names being considered.

The alternatives may no longer matter. The Athletic reports that there is a strong possibility Barcelona will sign no striker at all if they cannot get Alvarez. The other available candidates have not convinced everyone involved in the decision and the club do not want to spend heavily on a player who would not clearly improve Flick’s squad.

Sport have reported a similar stance. Barcelona will not sign a temporary solution simply to fill the vacancy before the window closes. They are unwilling to overpay for a striker without sufficient sporting guarantees.

There is logic behind that decision. There is also the small matter of Barcelona spending most of the summer explaining that a new number nine was necessary.

Flick has spoken publicly about the need for a striker, while Deco said the club would probably make a move. Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have both left, and Barcelona do not have a direct replacement for the Polish forward. Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Raphinha and Dani Olmo can all play centrally, but none was signed to become the team’s main centre-forward.

Alvarez remains the exception. The Argentine wants to leave Atletico and has made no secret of his dream of joining Barcelona. Atletico, however, have repeatedly insisted that they will not sell him to a direct rival. He is under contract until 2030 and has a €500 million release clause. Barcelona’s €100 million offer was rejected, with Atletico publicly refusing to open negotiations.

The atmosphere at the Metropolitano has only made the situation more uncomfortable. Alvarez was whistled by Atletico supporters when his name was announced against Villarreal, when he warmed up, when he entered the pitch and virtually every time he touched the ball. Barcelona reportedly believe Atletico now have a genuine problem with a player whose relationship with the club and its supporters has deteriorated badly.

That still does not amount to an agreement. Atletico have not changed their official position and Barcelona have not secured the transfer. The only confirmed development in the story is that the Catalan club are willing to wait longer than originally planned.

If no deal is reached before the window closes, Barcelona could return for Alvarez in January. Until then, Flick may have to rely on the attacking options already available to him.

A new number nine went from a necessity to a priority, then received a deadline. The deadline has expired, but the priority remains. Plan A is still Alvarez. Plan B may simply be waiting for Plan A again in January.

Sources: The Athletic, La Vanguardia, Sport, Barca Blaugranes