English Premier League
Barcelona’s Julian Alvarez pursuit stalls as Rodri talks gather pace
Barcelona have effectively abandoned hopes of signing Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, with their progress in negotiations for Manchester City midfielder Rodri raising questions over whether financial restrictions have forced the club to choose between the two players.
Alvarez had been Barcelona’s leading target this summer as they consider a replacement for Poland forward Robert Lewandowski, whose departure is expected. The Catalan club made an opening offer of €100m for the Argentina international, but Atletico rejected it outright and insisted they would not part with the 26-year-old.
According to journalist Matteo Moretto, speaking via Marca radio, Barcelona now view a deal for Alvarez as practically impossible and financially unviable after failing throughout the summer to shift Atletico’s firm position.
The Spanish club has made extensive efforts to convince both the player and his employers. Barcelona sporting director Deco travelled to Madrid this week to meet Fernando Hidalgo, Alvarez’s representative, in an attempt to advance the proposed transfer.
There have also been reports that Alvarez could reaffirm his desire to leave when he returns to training next week. Such a move would be intended to increase pressure on Atletico, known as Los Rojiblancos, to reconsider their stance.
However, Atletico have shown no sign of changing their position. Barcelona have therefore accepted that the transfer is close to being unattainable, despite their attempts to make progress.
The timing of the stalled Alvarez negotiations and the acceleration of Barcelona’s efforts to sign Rodri has led to speculation at Camp Nou that the club may have concluded it cannot finance both moves under financial fair play rules.
A deal for Rodri alone could cost Barcelona more than €80m, in addition to the midfielder’s substantial salary. Combining that commitment with a transfer for Alvarez, which would exceed €100m, may be beyond the club’s realistic spending capacity this summer.
Deco’s sporting department appears to have made strengthening midfield with a player of Rodri’s calibre its priority, even if that means delaying or abandoning plans to recruit a centre-forward. Barcelona are understood to believe that less expensive alternatives remain available in the attacking market.
After pulling out of the race for Alvarez, the club began examining other options. Several of those possibilities, however, have become less accessible. Joao Pedro is reportedly close to renewing his contract with Chelsea, while Eli Junior Kroupi is expected to miss several months because of injury. Fisnik Asllani, meanwhile, is said to be nearing a move to Leipzig.
One of the most prominent remaining names is Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, who is available after leaving Juventus. He is waiting for an offer from Barcelona but is also attracting interest from Turkish club Besiktas. The Catalan club have additionally been offered the chance to sign Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen.
Barcelona’s apparent withdrawal leaves the central question unresolved: has Rodri genuinely been the reason for the collapse of the Alvarez pursuit, or was Atletico’s refusal to negotiate the decisive factor?
The coming days should clarify whether Barcelona have sacrificed their preferred attacking target to secure a leading midfielder, or whether Atletico’s resistance alone has brought the proposed transfer to an end.
