​Hansi Flick reportedly reached out directly to Julián Álvarez during the World Cup, contacting the Atlético Madrid forward via WhatsApp to assure him that Barcelona will push relentlessly to secure his signature this summer. The claim comes from Barca Blaugranes, which cites Marca’s Pedro Morata as the source. Morata’s account suggests that Flick urged Álvarez to remain patient and promised that the club would do everything within its power to bring him to Camp Nou. According to Barca Blaugranes, Flick told the Argentine to trust the club, adding that Barcelona would be there, fighting for his transfer “as far as we can.” This level of personal involvement by the manager signals more than just interest; it indicates that Flick views Álvarez as a central piece in his tactical plans. The primary source described Álvarez as Barcelona’s top transfer target following the departure of Robert Lewandowski, underscoring the striker’s perceived importance to the project.
Atlético Madrid, known for their firm stance, have repeatedly indicated they do not intend to sell Álvarez and have shown little appetite for any dealings with a direct La Liga rival. Despite this resistance, Barcelona remains determined, though independent reports have raised questions about how Barcelona has approached Álvarez and his camp. Álvarez has not kept his ambitions private either. During the tournament, he openly expressed a desire to leave Atlético, and separate reports suggest he would prefer Barcelona over other clubs that are monitoring his situation. Flick’s direct outreach can be viewed as a strategic move to keep Álvarez engaged and warmly connected to the idea of a move, without the need for a formal bid to be in place yet.
As of now, Álvarez is concentrating on Argentina’s World Cup semi-final against Switzerland in Kansas on Sunday. Reports indicate that Barcelona plans to submit a fresh offer for the striker once the tournament ends. How Atlético responds to any renewed approach, and whether Álvarez ultimately formalizes a transfer request, will play decisive roles in whether Barcelona’s persistence translates into the deal Flick is actively advocating for. For the moment, Flick has left no ambiguity about his position to the player: he is making his intentions unmistakably clear and signaling that Álvarez sits near the top of Barcelona’s transfer priorities. The ongoing situation will hinge on Atlético’s reaction, Álvarez’s own aspirations, and Barcelona’s readiness to escalate their pursuit after the World Cup.