FC Barcelona continues working on the planning of their squad for the next season, and among their priorities is strengthening the forward line with a top-level striker. With Robert Lewandowski in the final stretch of his career, the Barça management is looking for a reliable alternative to lead the attack in the coming years. In this context, Julián Álvarez, currently at Atlético de Madrid, has become one of the club's major aspirations.
To facilitate his signing, Barça has devised a strategy that involves including up to three players in the operation. This opens the door to a possible negotiation in which he could serve as a bargaining chip to lower the cost of acquiring Álvarez.
A Key Piece in the Operation
Since his arrival at Barça in 2018 from Sevilla, Clément Lenglet has had an irregular trajectory. His first seasons were promising, but over time his performance declined to the point of becoming a dispensable player for the team. The constant criticism from the fans and the lack of confidence from the coaches led him to leave on loan in search of playing time.
Currently, Lenglet is at Atlético de Madrid, where he has managed to regain his form and earn a place in the red-and-white team's defense. His performance has been solid enough for Simeone to consider signing him permanently. This situation represents an opportunity for Barça, which intends to take advantage of Atlético's interest to negotiate the transfer of Julián Álvarez.
FC Barcelona's coach, Hansi Flick, has identified Julián Álvarez as a priority signing to strengthen the forward line. The Argentine, a world champion with his national team in 2022, has proven to be a versatile forward, capable of playing both as an offensive reference and in deeper positions. His mobility, ability to associate, and goal-scoring instinct make him an ideal profile to fit into Barça's playing system.
Atlético de Madrid, aware of Álvarez's importance in their scheme, wouldn't be willing to let him go easily. His release clause is around 100M euros, a figure difficult for Barcelona to assume given their economic situation. However, the inclusion of Lenglet in the operation could significantly reduce the transfer cost.
A Complicated but Possible Exchange
Barça values Clément Lenglet at 15-20M euros, which would allow them to lower the price of Julián Álvarez by a considerable amount. However, an additional financial effort would still be necessary to complete the operation. To this end, the blaugrana club is considering the possibility of making other sales that generate income and facilitate the arrival of the Argentine forward.
Players like Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, or Ansu Fati have been mentioned in various market rumors as possible departures that would help finance Álvarez's signing. The final decision will depend on the progress of the negotiations and Atlético de Madrid's willingness to accept an agreement that benefits both parties.
The Future of Julián Álvarez and Atlético's Stance
Despite Barça's interest, Julián Álvarez is comfortable at Atlético de Madrid. His adaptation to the team has been positive, and he has shown a great level in important matches. This makes his departure not a priority for the red-and-white club, which would only consider his transfer for an offer they deem irresistible.
From Barça's perspective, signing Álvarez would represent a long-term investment in a top-level forward. However, the success of the operation will depend on multiple factors. Including Atlético's willingness to negotiate, the player's willingness, and the blaugrana club's financial capacity to undertake a transfer of such magnitude.
For now, Barça continues exploring all available options to strengthen their squad and fulfill Hansi Flick's request. With the transfer market just around the corner, the possibility of seeing Julián Álvarez wearing the blaugrana jersey remains an enigma. But the interest is real, and negotiations could intensify in the coming months.