Barça are football-wise in love with Julián Álvarez. From the club's offices, admiration for the Argentine forward from Atlético de Madrid is becoming increasingly evident. His ability to link up, his movement across the attacking front, and his goal-scoring instinct have drawn attention to him.
Joan Laporta is the main supporter of this interest. He has been seen on several occasions praising the Argentine, both in public and in private circles. For Laporta, Julián Álvarez represents the kind of player who not only brings goals but also identity and grit.
The heir to Lewandowski
Barça see Julián as the natural heir to Robert Lewandowski. With the Pole in the final stretch of his elite career, the club needs to start planning for generational change. In this regard, Julián is in pole position to take over the center forward spot in the future.
Alongside him, Alexander Isak is also highly valued by the technical department. The Swede, with a more physical and direct profile, is also very much liked, but it's Julián who leads that symbolic race to become Barça's "9" when the time comes.
He's not leaving now
However, according to El Nacional, the blaugrana dreams will have to wait. Julián Álvarez has no intention of moving on in 2025. The forward is focused on his present with Atlético, a club where he has found continuity, prominence, and a competitive structure that allows him to grow.
This is a cold shower for Barça's hopes of securing his services this summer. No matter how much Laporta wants him and the coaching staff values him, Julián will keep himself at the Metropolitano next season. The blaugrana sporting planning will have to adjust and focus on other more immediate needs while the signing of the Argentine is put on hold.
2026 will be the key year
But Barça's interest in Julián Álvarez doesn't fade, it is simply postponed. In the club's corridors, people are already talking about the summer of 2026 as the right time to pursue his signing. That is the year Robert Lewandowski's contract expires and, with his departure, a vacancy will open up in the squad that must be filled by a reliable figure.
Julián fits that profile perfectly, as he is young but experienced at the top level, pure talent, and has a competitive character that could help him fit in. As of today, the club is working quietly, preparing the ground and building relationships, knowing that bringing him to Barcelona will require patience, strategy, and a more favorable financial context. If everything goes as expected, Camp Nou could have its new Argentine idol just when it's needed.