Barcelona confirm transfer plan as official Julian Alvarez statement made

20 Aug 2026 07:45 BST | 3 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

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Barcelona sporting director Deco has confirmed that the club will sign a new striker as Atletico Madrid decisively close the door on their hopes of signing Julian Alvarez.

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Julian has been Barca’s top priority to fill the No.9 shirt for much of the summer following the departure of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford.

Despite the Argentine pushing to leave his club, Atleti have resisted any approaches, pointing to the player’s €500 million release clause as the figure that must be matched if he is to depart.

Current ETV

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

ETV Range

€84M - €102.7M

The Blaugrana have yet to fill the immense void this has created, but Deco has assured fans that the club is working on the issue and will get a player in before the transfer deadline.

Speaking to the media, the Portuguese confirmed: “We are looking for the best solution. We have solutions at home, but we will look elsewhere. All players want to come to Barca.

“We have lost two players up front: Lewandowski and Ferran. For Ferran, we have solutions with the players who have arrived. For Robert, it's more complicated; it's difficult to replace a player like him. There are a lot of rumours, but yes, we will make a move.”

Atletico Madrid make Julian Alvarez statement after jeers

There have been major developments in the situation of Julian Alvarez, meanwhile, with Atletico Madrid making an official statement over his status at the club after he was the subject of insulting chants from fans as Diego Simeone’s side claimed a 2-0 win over Malaga in their opening La Liga match of the season – despite not even matching the matchday squad.

Simeone’s response to the supporters was unexpected. “I have a lot of respect for our fans,” the Argentine said.

Despite the coach’s refusal to condemn the insults aimed towards Atleti’s forward, the club’s hierarchy has no intention of allowing the former Manchester City man to depart.

President Enrique Cerezo said: “I don’t know if Julian will apologise, but Julian is an excellent person and I’m absolutely sure he’ll win the fans over in two games.

“I already said from the beginning that he wasn't for sale. That he wasn't for sale, that he was our player and an important part of our team, and as an important part, we want him, we like having him with us, and I think he's going to have a magnificent season.

“Julian is an Atletico de Madrid player, he has a contract with Atletico de Madrid, he is training with Atletico de Madrid and he is preparing to have a magnificent and wonderful season.”

Director of football Mateu Alemany confirmed this stance.

“The CEO has explained the position of Atleti with all the speculation in the media, and I’ve got nothing more to add,” he said.

Who will Barcelona target?

Barcelona have been linked with a string of strikers, with Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres among those recently linked with the Catalan side.

Other strikers rumoured to be targets for Barca include Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Sporting CP’s Luis Suarez while they have even been linked with a left-field move for Villarreal’s Georges Mikautadze.