Julian Alvarez’s next club revealed: €120m Atletico Madrid ace makes transfer call

Robin Bairner

20 Feb 2026 07:56 GMT
4 min read

Julian Alvarez is wanted by the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona, with a source close to the Atletico Madrid striker now confirming the transfer plans of the Argentine forward.

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Alvarez is set to be one of the players to watch in the summer transfer window, with a switch away from Atleti on the cards.

A group of elite clubs have a serious interest in signing the 26-year-old former Manchester City forward, who has a price tag of €120 million on his head.

Current ETV

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

Julián Alvarez

F (C)

Atlético Madrid

ETV Range

€105.7M - €129.2M

Julian Alvarez to Barcelona?

Hugo Balassone, an Argentine transfer insider and journalist, has confirmed Alvarez’s summer plans on Radio La Red (via FootMercato).

“My information is that he’s going to play for Barcelona,” he said.

“There was interest from Arsenal. His time at Atletico is over. He wants to go to a champion club.

“Julian Alvarez, I can confirm, is going to play for one of the best clubs in the world. Can you imagine Julian and Lamine Yamal together?”

© IMAGO - Julian Alvarez: Destined for Barcelona?

Major financial hurdles to clear

While Barcelona are expected to be on the hunt for a forward to replace Robert Lewandowski, who appears destined to complete a move to MLS, doubts have to be raised over their capacity to sign Alvarez.

Financial problems have restricted their ability to spend within Spain’s strict Financial Fair Play (FFP) limits and they have suffered another blow recently in that the renovation work of Camp Nou will cost around €200-300m more than anticipated. This is an expense the club will have to absorb.

Indeed, the Catalans are swithering over whether or not to complete Marcus Rashford’s €30m buyout fee from Manchester United due to the limitations placed on them. Given the outstanding value this deal offers, the fact that Rashford is already proven to work in Hansi Flick’s system and the fact that this deal is worth just a fraction of the Alverez fee, this suggests raising €120m will be tough.

The signs may point to Alvarez going to Barcelona, but the door remains firmly open for both Arsenal and Chelsea to complete a sensational deal.

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