Despite the media lull, the transfer of Julián Álvarez to Barcelona is far from over. Instead, it has entered a new phase of behind-the-scenes planning, awaiting what the Catalan club deems the most opportune moment to finalize one of the most anticipated deals of the transfer window.
According to Spanish press reports, all parties have agreed to postpone the final steps of the negotiations until after the 2026 World Cup. Communication between club officials will continue in preparation for officially resuming talks once the tournament concludes.
Related topics
Flick Reshapes Barcelona… Two Surprising Departures Due to Lamine Yamal
Barcelona’s confidence in completing the deal rests on the player’s own desire. Reports indicate that Julián Álvarez prioritizes coach Hansi Flick’s project and welcomes the idea of moving to Camp Nou should he decide to leave Atlético Madrid.
Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has decided to personally lead the negotiations after the initial phase encountered some complications. Laporta has opened direct communication channels with Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo to facilitate negotiations and reach a mutually agreeable agreement, especially given both clubs’ awareness of the difficulty of the transfer.
Barcelona is also mindful of Atlético Madrid’s position, as the club is reluctant to part with one of its key players before securing a suitable replacement. Therefore, the Catalan club has opted to give Atlético ample time to make moves in the transfer market before fully reopening negotiations.
Financially, Barcelona’s plan remains unchanged. The club is preparing to submit an offer of approximately €130 million after the 2026 World Cup. Sources confirm that this figure represents the maximum Barcelona is willing to pay and will not be increased to €150 million under any circumstances, as it will be the club’s final offer to secure the deal.
Meanwhile, Barcelona is not paying much attention to the rumors linking the player with Real Madrid. The club’s management believes these reports are intended to increase pressure and inflate the Argentine striker’s market value rather than reflect genuine competition.
While Julián Álvarez remains keen on joining Barcelona, the transfer is currently on hold. However, it remains a priority for the club’s management, which is banking on the post-World Cup period to finalize one of the most anticipated transfers in European football.
