TRANSFER MARKET
Julián Álvarez: Barcelona's next big target?
Published New:22/07/2025 - 02:33h
Updated New:22/07/2025 - 02:33h
With the signing of Marcus Rashford, Barça covers the need to sign a left-footed winger. Now, the board could focus on going for another '9'. Will Julián Álvarez be the chosen one?
FC Barcelona seems to have closed the door to signing more forwards after closing the incorporation of Marcus Rashford. The board set as a market priority to bring another left-footed winger, a position covered with the arrival of the Englishman.
However, in the medium and long term, the possibility of going for another '9' is also on the table. Robert Lewandowski is entering his last season of contract and, at 37 years old, the club does not plan to extend his contract at the end of 25/26.
In that sense, Julián Álvarez is emerging as a new market priority for Barça. The Argentine has proven to be one of the most in-form forwards on the planet, in addition to boasting an incredible record at just 25 years old.
Atlético de Madrid's '19' has already won the Champions League with Manchester City and the World Cup with his national team, in addition to many other local and international trophies. Assuming that Viktor Gyökeres will go to England this summer, the Calchín player gains ground to replace 'Lewy' at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Barça will go for a '9' in 2026: Will Julián Álvarez be the chosen one?
For Joan Laporta, Erling Haaland was always the ideal '9' for the future. However, the most recent renewal of the Norwegian with Manchester City, until June 2034, suggests a transfer close to 200 million euros as the only way out for the 'Cyborg'.
A figure that Barça is not willing to reach for Haaland or any other player. On the contrary, the 'Spider', although he has a termination clause of 500 million euros and a contract until 2030, could leave the Metropolitano for a figure close to 100 'kilos'.
Not in vain, the striker has already told his representative, Fernando Hidalgo, to do everything possible to make things easier for Barça in the future if, finally, the azulgrana team decides to go for his signing.
"Day to day is at Atlético. We will see how the negotiations progress, but football changes quickly. We will have to hold conversations between the clubs and reach an agreement", said Hidalgo about a month ago in an interview for 'El Chiringuito'.
The agent, however, acknowledged that Atlético, for now, does not contemplate Julián's departure. However, the Argentine positively values being linked to the culés, mainly due to his great relationship with Leo Messi and the media impact that his transfer would cause.
Julián Álvarez, ready to start the preseason with Atlético
In any case, for now, Álvarez is concentrating on reaching peak physical and mental condition for 25/26 with the 'colchoneros'. This week, the Calchín player returned to training with his club after a month's vacation.
Atlético will play two friendlies in Portugal (Porto) and England (Newcastle) before debuting in La Liga against Espanyol on August 17. Julián scored 29 goals and 8 assists in 57 games in his first year with the 'rojiblancos'.
Even so, he could not avoid another year without titles for Diego Simeone's team; a disappointing season completed with early elimination in the Club World Cup group stage. If Atlético fails to win anything in 25/26, the departure of '19' will be inevitable in the summer of 2026. Will Barcelona be his next destination?
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