Barcelona increasingly worried Hansi Flick-preferred target is slipping away

Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez has reached a point where hope and reality are beginning to pull in different directions.

The club has not abandoned the idea of signing the Atletico Madrid forward, but according to Víctor Navarro of COPE, there is a growing belief inside Barcelona that completing the operation will be extremely difficult.

That does not mean the door is closed. Not yet.

Barcelona are prepared to wait until the final stages of the transfer window, but the next few days could finally reveal whether there is any realistic path to a deal. 

The key moment will come when Alvarez sits down with Atletico CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín to discuss his future, a conversation that could change everything or it could confirm that the pursuit has reached a dead end.

Only a week ago, Alvarez returned to Atletico Madrid after his vacation, bringing an end to a summer in which his future has remained under constant scrutiny.

Julian Alvarez wants to leave Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The Argentine, who is favoured by Hansi Flick, had already made his desire to leave clear during the World Cup, speaking about wanting to fulfil a personal “dream”. 

Barcelona were widely understood to be at the centre of those comments, and there was hope within the Catalan club that his stance could force Atletico to reconsider. Instead, Atletico’s response was emphatic.

Gil Marín publicly drew a line under the possibility of an easy sale, making it clear that Alvarez would not be allowed to leave simply because an offer arrived. 

Barcelona, in particular, have faced the strongest resistance, which is why the upcoming meeting carries so much weight.

Alvarez now has the opportunity to explain his position directly to the man who holds significant influence over Atletico’s transfer decisions. 

If he can convince the club to open negotiations, Barcelona may still have a chance.

Barcelona are not giving up on Alvarez. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

If Atletico remain firm, however, the Catalan side will be left waiting for a breakthrough that may never come.

Barcelona’s interest in Alvarez has never been the main problem. The challenge has always been convincing Atletico to sell.

The club’s position became even clearer when Gil Marín addressed the possibility of a transfer, stating that Atletico would not sell the striker“for 150 or 200 million.”

According to Navarro, Barcelona are aware of just how difficult that task has become.

Still, they are not ready to walk away. The plan is to remain alert until the closing stages of the window and see whether Alvarez’s discussions with Atletico create an opening.