Barcelona prepare for life without Julian Alvarez as Deco’s forward plan takes shape

Barcelona will end the summer transfer window without signing their main target, Julian Alvarez, but sporting director Deco had prepared alternatives for the possibility that Atletico Madrid would refuse to sell the Argentina forward.

The Catalan club had identified Alvarez as their priority attacking recruit throughout the summer. However, they believe they have now put enough options in place to cover the centre-forward position, with the late arrival of Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus completing a plan that Deco had been developing for several months.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Deco never concealed within his close circle how difficult it would be to prise Alvarez away from Atletico Madrid. Barcelona therefore kept the possibility alive while also working on other solutions, with Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon emerging as a particularly attractive option.

Gordon’s natural position is on the wing, but Deco became especially impressed by the England international last season after studying several Newcastle United matches in which he operated as a central striker.

The Barcelona sporting director was struck by Gordon’s understanding of the role, his movement and his ability to adapt to two different positions without a significant fall in his performance. Those qualities played an important part in the club’s decision to pursue him.

Deco’s work on the deal was conducted in complete secrecy. He held discussions with people close to Gordon and made several trips to London before successfully directing the transfer to completion on 27 May.

While attention was largely focused on Alvarez’s situation, Barcelona had already secured a back-up option.

Deco views Gordon as more than a winger. He has admired the player’s ability to cut in from wide areas and attack space, as well as his positioning when moving into central areas. Gordon can also drop deeper to receive possession and contribute to build-up play. His height gives Barcelona another attacking route, particularly when he is used to attack crosses and compete for headers.

For some time, Deco had been explaining to those close to him that Gordon could operate either as a winger or as an out-and-out striker, depending on Hansi Flick’s requirements. That flexibility was one of the main reasons Barcelona were prepared to make the move for him.

The club also strengthened its options with the emergence of young forward Hamza Abdelkarim, who has shown that he can provide another solution in the same position. Barcelona consequently reached the final weeks of the transfer market knowing that, even if their major deal failed to materialise, they would not have to make a signing simply for the sake of it.

In the final hours of the window, Barcelona completed a surprise move for Gabriel Jesus for €10m. The Brazilian forward signed a two-year contract with the option of extending it for a further season, in a deal regarded by the club as an ideal opportunity in the transfer market.

The financial risk involved is considered limited. If Gabriel Jesus can rediscover his best form, Barcelona believe he could make a major contribution and provide the centre-forward support that, for long periods of the summer, appeared to depend entirely on what happened with Alvarez.

Unless there is an unexpected change, Alvarez will remain at Atletico Madrid for another season. Barcelona were ready for that outcome well before the closing stages of the window: Gordon was secured after Deco identified that he offered more than a conventional wide option, Hamza Abdelkarim established himself as another possibility, and Gabriel Jesus arrived at the last moment.

Barcelona were unable to complete the signing of the striker they had identified as their principal target. Deco, however, had already built a broader plan to ensure the team would not depend exclusively on Julian Alvarez.