Julian Alvarez: Barcelona ready to raise offer as Atletico Madrid refuse even €200m bid

Barcelona are preparing to increase their offer for Argentina striker Julian Alvarez to as much as €130m – despite Atletico Madrid’s insistence they will not sell him even for €200m.

The Catalan club, who lost Robert Lewandowski at the end of last season, see Alvarez as their priority signing to lead the attack but are facing a hardened stance from their La Liga rivals.

Barca have already lodged an initial bid of €100m and president Joan Laporta has made clear that the proposal will not stay on the table indefinitely. However, Atletico are determined to keep the forward, who has publicly expressed his desire to leave.

Miguel Angel Gil Marin, Atletico’s chief executive, has recently dismissed any suggestion that the club could soften their position on the player.

He stressed: “لم نقبل عرض الـ 100 مليون يورو، ولن نقبل عرض الـ 150 مليون يورو او الـ 200 مليون يورو”.
(“We did not accept the €100m offer, and we will not accept an offer of €150m or €200m.”)

Barcelona readying new bid

Journalist Santi Ovalle revealed on Cadena SER’s programme “El Larguero” that Barcelona are preparing a new, improved offer in an attempt to break the deadlock.

He said: “سيقدم نادي برشلونة عرضا جديدا، وان لم يكن ذلك قريبا. انه عرض يتراوح بين 120 و130 مليونا، لانهم لم يرغبوا في الوصول الى مبلغ 150 مليونا الذي عرضه ريال مدريد في اي وقت مضى”.

That proposed package, in the €120m–€130m range, reflects Barca’s determination to secure a high-profile replacement for Lewandowski without matching the €150m figure that Ovalle says was once tabled by Real Madrid.

Alvarez, a World Cup winner with Argentina, remains the club’s first-choice target in this summer’s transfer window, but officials at Camp Nou acknowledge that time is beginning to work against them.

Internal deadline set for Alvarez deal

According to the same report, the Spanish champions have internally ring‐fenced 31 July as the cut‐off date to close a deal with Atletico.

If no agreement is struck by then, sporting director Deco is expected to formally switch his priority to alternative forwards, with work already under way on other potential transfer options.

This internal deadline is not a public ultimatum to Atletico but is being used within the club to keep their wider recruitment plans on track, given the complexities of their financial situation and the need to finalise the squad before the new season.

Atletico plan for Alvarez’s return

Despite the ongoing negotiations and the player’s wish to move, Atletico have mapped out their own timetable for Alvarez.

The Madrid club have already informed the striker that he is expected to report back for pre‐season on 10 August, after his involvement with Argentina in the final of the 2026 World Cup.

That instruction underlines Atletico’s stance that, unless a truly irresistible offer is made – something they insist has not happened and will not be accepted – Alvarez will remain a central part of their plans for the coming campaign.

Race against the clock

Barcelona’s pursuit of Alvarez has become one of the defining transfer sagas of the Spanish summer, pitting the champions’ need for a marquee No 9 against Atletico’s refusal to be drawn into a sale.

While Barca continue to push their financial limits to build a competitive squad, Atletico are signalling that, for now, sporting considerations outweigh any windfall that might come from cashing in on one of their most valuable assets.

With an enhanced offer ready and a self‐imposed deadline looming, the coming weeks are likely to determine whether Alvarez leads Barcelona’s new‐look frontline – or returns to Madrid to spearhead Atletico’s challenge instead.