- Barcelona are prepared to wait for Julián Álvarez despite Atlético Madrid's refusal to negotiate a summer transfer.
Barcelona won't rush into a backup signing
Barcelona remain determined to sign Julián Álvarez as Robert Lewandowski's long-term successor, but Atlético Madrid's firm stance has forced the club to prepare alternative plans.
According to SPORT's Ferran Correas, Barcelona are prepared to delay the signing of a new number nine rather than compromise on their preferred long-term target. Barcelona management believes that the arrival of Antony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi in the team has added the depth for the attack to compete in big games, as per the report.
Atlético Madrid are refusing to negotiate
Although Barcelona submitted a reported €100 million offer, Atlético Madrid publicly insisted that Álvarez is not for sale, the club responded with an official video on their social media handle where the club's CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, states that Julián Álvarez is not for sale to Barcelona at any cost; however, Barcelona believes the submitted offer is for the player, and there is no need to submit a renewed bid.
The bid is still on the table of Los Rojiblancos, as they didn’t respond to it officially.
Atlético Madrid made a formal complaint to FIFA and the RFEF about Barcelona's interest in forward Julián Álvarez. They alleged that Barcelona made unauthorized contact and claimed that Barcelona encouraged the player to publicly express his desire to transfer.
How Flick could reshape the attack without Álvarez
Karim Adeyemi, who already debuted for Barcelona against Birmingham in a preseason game, possesses the ability to play anywhere in the final third, and the left winger signing, Antony Gordon, has already played the striker role at Newcastle United. Barca can use these players in the striker role from the view of management, and they also consider Dani Olmo a false 9 for the team in case they miss out on the Argentinian's signature in this transfer window.
With Álvarez due to return to training on 10 August, attention will now turn to whether the situation develops before the transfer window closes. His entourage says he still feels misled by the Madrid club because they had promised to discuss his departure in the summer.