Barcelona sporting director Deco has held fresh talks with Julián Álvarez’s representative in Madrid as the Catalan club attempt to maintain their pursuit of the Atlético Madrid forward.
Deco met with agent Fernando Hidalgo during a discreet trip to the Spanish capital, according to reports. Gerard Romero of Jijantes indicated that the Barcelona official travelled with Joao Amaral and characterised the meeting as a final effort to keep the transfer operation alive. Sport reported that the summit aimed to refine Barcelona’s strategy for a deal that remains a priority for the club, even as those inside the camp acknowledge the signing is exceptionally complex.
The meeting comes after Barcelona’s initial €100 million approach was firmly rejected by the Madrid club, leaving no active channel for direct negotiation between the parties.
Atlético Blockade Continues
Atlético Madrid continue to reject any prospect of selling the former Manchester City forward. The club dismissed the opening proposal and maintain that the player is not available for transfer. Direct communication between the two clubs has effectively collapsed, with the institutional relationship described as strained.
The breakdown extends beyond this specific negotiation. Atlético’s executive leadership reportedly believe Barcelona and Real Madrid have attempted to humiliate the club, a perception that has contributed to the paralysis in talks.
Player Position and Manager Demand
Álvarez is believed to favour a move to Barcelona. The 26-year-old lodged a public transfer request approximately six weeks ago, signalling his desire to leave. Sources close to the player have suggested he feels Atlético’s chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín did not honour a prior commitment to facilitate his departure, though this remains conditional. His current contract with Atlético extends until 2030, strengthening the club’s negotiating position.
Despite his desire to leave, Álvarez is not expected to breach his contract or mount a public rebellion against manager Diego Simeone. He is anticipated to remain professional regardless of how negotiations develop.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has maintained that he wants the club to recruit a striker this window and has expressed full confidence in Deco to complete a deal. This keeps pressure on the sporting director to find a resolution, despite the current impasse.
Next Steps
Barcelona are reportedly willing to improve their financial offer should Atlético indicate any willingness to negotiate. However, no such shift appears imminent. With direct club-to-club channels closed, Barcelona must rely on maintaining contact through the player’s camp to remain positioned should Atlético’s stance change.