News Focus
- FC Barcelona have submitted a €100 million opening bid for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez
- The Argentina international has told Atletico bosses that his priority is to join the Catalan club this summer
- Atletico Madrid value the forward at €150 million and prefer to sell to foreign clubs
- Paris Saint-Germain have already offered €120 million plus two players for the striker
- The deal is complicated by Atletico’s reluctance to strengthen a direct La Liga rival
FC Barcelona have taken formal steps to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid. The Catalan giants have submitted an opening offer worth €100 million for the Argentina centre-forward.
The club have pursued the striker for more than a year. They are searching for a replacement for Robert Lewandowski. Sources say Alvarez has informed Atletico that he wishes to leave this summer. His preferred destination is Barcelona.
However, Atletico Madrid are unhappy with the situation. They do not want to sell to a domestic competitor. The club have set an asking price of €150 million. They would rather sell the player to Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona’s first bid is a cash-only proposal. Ferran Torres reportedly refused to be part of any player exchange. Officials at the Camp Nou see this €100 million offer as a starting point for negotiations.
Paris Saint-Germain remain serious rivals for Alvarez’s signature. The French champions previously tabled a bid of €120 million plus two squad members. Atletico rejected that offer before Alvarez asked to leave. PSG are prepared to pay the forward €22 million per year in wages. This figure matches the salary of their top earner, Ousmane Dembele.
Alvarez is said to enjoy life in the Spanish capital. It is not yet clear if he would accept a move to France or England. The player may hold out to secure his dream transfer to Barcelona. Talks between the two Spanish clubs are likely to continue in the coming days.