​Barcelona president Joan Laporta says the club is considering alternatives to Julián Álvarez as they remain under scrutiny about the possibility of signing the Atletico Madrid forward. After confirming that the Catalan club has submitted a substantial offer for Álvarez, Laporta acknowledged that Atlético Madrid are not prepared to part with the player, at least for now. He added that a decision will need to be reached soon and that Barcelona has other options in mind if the Álvarez pursuit does not come to fruition.
“We have presented a very significant offer; if they are willing to accept it, that would be fantastic, but the offer cannot be unlimited. We must decide. Whether we keep the offer on the table or not will depend on how the remainder of July unfolds,” Laporta told SER. He noted that the player has publicly expressed a desire for a change of environment, which keeps Barcelona’s interest alive, and the club still stands ready to welcome him. “We will see how everything develops,” he said.
Laporta also praised Deco for his work in the transfer market, highlighting the potential signing of Adeyemi, whom the club plans to bring in next week. He described Deco’s approach as efficient and discreet, qualities that are important in the transfer window. “Obviously, if the Julián deal falls through, we have alternates,” he stated.
The Álvarez saga has dominated headlines through much of the summer, keeping Barcelona’s summer plans in the spotlight. There is a sense that an end could be in sight as the World Cup nears its conclusion, which may impact the timing of negotiations and decisions in the coming days. The club is expected to make one final push for Álvarez, but if that effort does not succeed, Barcelona is prepared to pivot to other targets.
As the July deadline approaches, Barcelona’s strategy appears to hinge on balancing a strong offer with prudence, while also maintaining flexibility to adjust to Atlético Madrid’s stance. Laporta’s comments underscore that while Álvarez remains a primary target, the club is not dependent on a single option and has contingency plans to strengthen the squad in other areas. With Deco leading the recruitment drive and rumors suggesting additional signings could be on the horizon, Barcelona fans may soon see a decisive move, whether it involves finalizing a deal for Álvarez or redirecting their efforts toward other high-caliber alternatives.