​Barcelona’s ambitious pursuit of Julian Alvarez could spark another major transfer saga involving one of their own players. According to Gerard Romero, Atletico Madrid have already earmarked Ferran Torres as their preferred replacement should the Argentine striker finally realize his dream of joining Camp Nou. The Barcelona transfer pursuit remains ongoing, with negotiations over Alvarez reportedly at a distance, yet Atletico are already preparing for all possible outcomes. If circumstances force them to sanction Alvarez’s exit, Ferran Torres has surged to the top of their shortliste.
Barcelona’s efforts to sign Julian Alvarez continue despite Atletico Madrid’s firm stance, but Romero notes that a contingency plan is already in play in the Spanish capital. Atletico’s sporting director Mateu Alemany has long admired Ferran Torres and believes the Barcelona forward would be an ideal complement if Alvarez leaves this summer. Atletico Madrid are said to hold strong in negotiations and are not currently engaging in active talks with Barcelona over Alvarez, aiming to keep the Argentine at the club. Nevertheless, the situation is not simple, especially since Alvarez has expressed a desire to seek a new challenge away from the Metropolitano. Should Atletico ultimately determine that Alvarez’s departure is unavoidable, Ferran Torres could become one of the club’s primary transfer targets.
Only a few weeks ago, Ferran Torres seemed to have a clear role in Hansi Flick’s plans, with a potential contract renewal under discussion. Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez alone was not expected to threaten the Spain international, largely due to his versatility and ability to operate across the front line. That dynamic, however, has grown more complicated. Barcelona’s interest in Alvarez remains, but the club’s moves have now been intertwined with another forward option: Karim Adeyemi. The Borussia Dortmund winger’s arrival would add significant depth to Barcelona’s attacking lineup, especially if Alvarez also joins.
If Adeyemi signs for Barcelona and Alvarez arrives as well, Flick would enjoy substantially more attacking depth. This new competition for places makes Ferran Torres’s future at Barcelona increasingly unsettled, at least in theory, even though there is no public indication that the club intends to sell him. The ongoing transfer activity around Alvarez and Adeyemi has shifted the dynamic, leaving Torres in a more ambiguous position than before.
In summary, while Barcelona press on with their pursuit of Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid are ready to pivot should the deal fall through, with Ferran Torres emerging as a leading contingency plan. The potential dual-signing scenario—Alvarez with Adeyemi—would intensify competition for Barcelona’s forward line and could redefine Ferran Torres’s role at the club, transforming a previously clear-cut path into a more complex, multi-front transfer window narrative.