Barcelona Set Deadline for Julian Alvarez Transfer Pursuit

Barcelona have stepped up their preparations for the new season following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Argentine World Cup-winning striker Julian Alvarez still their top target to strengthen the attack.

However, the Spanish champions are not prepared to pursue the Atletico Madrid forward indefinitely and have reportedly set a deadline for reaching an agreement.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Barcelona will wait until July 31 to complete a deal for Alvarez. If no agreement is reached by then, Hansi Flick’s side will turn their full attention toward alternative striker targets.

Barcelona’s plans, however, face a major obstacle, with Atletico Madrid remaining firm on their stance that Alvarez is not for sale. Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin has made it clear that the club would not change its position even if offers of €100 million, €150 million or even €200 million were placed on the table.

Against this backdrop, Barcelona believe the situation could change only if Alvarez himself makes his desire to leave Atletico more explicit. The Argentine forward recently gave a positive indication regarding a possible move, suggesting that a change could be beneficial for everyone. However, his recent comments have been considerably more cautious and measured.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has also made the club’s position clear. He acknowledged that the club’s financial limitations prevent them from making offers beyond a certain level. As a result, Barcelona intend to monitor the situation until the end of July before moving on to alternative plans.

If they fail to sign Alvarez, Flick is expected to focus on other attacking options. French youngster Eli Junior Kroupi and Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko are among the names reportedly being considered, with Barcelona potentially looking to bring in one of them.

If the club cannot sign a new forward, Barcelona could instead seek a solution within their existing squad. Dani Olmo could be deployed as a false nine, while Ferran Torres is also capable of operating in a central attacking role.

Barcelona are also considering a longer-term plan involving Lamine Yamal. The club believes the young winger could eventually become even more effective in a more central attacking role as he gains experience, similar to the way Lionel Messi gradually moved away from a traditional wide position during his career.

For now, Barcelona’s priority remains clear: if they can bring Alvarez to Camp Nou before the end of July, it would represent a major success in their transfer plans. If that proves impossible, the Catalan giants will waste no more time and will immediately move forward with their alternative targets.