​Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez has shifted into a phase that appears tranquil on the surface, yet behind the scenes talks continue with notable intensity. The Argentine forward has already signaled his openness to leaving Atletico Madrid this summer, making his intentions clear to collaborators and insiders. In parallel, Barça president Joan Laporta has intentionally tempered public speculation in recent appearances to avoid complicating the club’s negotiating stance, while acknowledging that an offer has been made and remains on the table. All sides have agreed to pause major public developments until after the World Cup, at which point Barcelona plans to push forward what they view as a near-decisive bid for the Argentine striker.
According to SPORT, Barcelona intend to submit a new bid of roughly €130 million following the World Cup. Barça see this figure as the ceiling of what they can responsibly commit, while also believing it reflects both Alvarez’s market value and Atlético Madrid’s financial expectations. There is no plan to raise the offer to €150 million, a figure that Real Madrid had supposedly placed on the table last month. From Barcelona’s perspective, Atlético will simply need to decide whether to accept or reject the proposal.
The report also indicates that Barcelona are discontent with Mateu Alemany, Atlético Madrid’s sporting director, over how the initial offer was presented. Allegedly, Alemany did not immediately convey Barcelona’s proposal to Atlético president Enrique Cerezo or CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marín, causing frustration within the Catalan club. To prevent a repeat of such missteps, Laporta has chosen to take a hands-on approach, establishing a direct line of communication with Cerezo. The two presidents have agreed to stay in touch regarding a deal that both clubs acknowledge is intricate but still very much alive, despite Atlético’s firm public stance.
Alvarez has been explicit about his desire to join Barcelona. The decision to delay negotiations until after the World Cup is also part of Barcelona’s strategic plan. Club officials believe Atlético Madrid are unlikely to permit their star to depart before they have secured a top-tier replacement, which is why Barça has deliberately given the Rojiblancos time to pursue reinforcements in the coming weeks. Laporta has publicly signaled a similar line of thinking.
The overarching expectation is that once the World Cup ends, conditions will be more favorable for finalizing the transfer. Barcelona’s confidence rests ultimately on the player’s own wishes, with club officials convinced that Alvarez views Hansi Flick’s project as his preferred destination and that the move remains the priority. If the timing aligns with Alvarez’s preferences, Barcelona believe the deal could progress smoothly in the post-World Cup window.