Julián Álvarez has cemented himself because the centerpiece of Atlético Madrid with stellar performances, as soon as once more attracting the eye of Europe’s elite golf equipment—this time as some of the prolific strikers on the planet. Along with his reported price ticket now out within the open, the Argentine ahead addressed his future and the hypothesis linking him to FC Barcelona.
Atlético have been thriving on Álvarez’s kind. He scored a hat trick in opposition to Rayo Vallecano, struck twice within the 5-2 derby win over Actual Madrid, and adopted it up within the Champions League by aiding two targets and changing a penalty within the win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Barcelona have tracked Álvarez for a number of years, and his latest shows have solely strengthened his repute as some of the full strikers within the recreation. Based on Spanish outlet Sport, Barca are focusing on him for the 2026-27 season, sparking recent hypothesis about his future.
Talking to ESPN after the Frankfurt match, Álvarez made it clear the place his head is at: “Look, I’m very calm. There’s at all times speak, final yr too lots of issues have been mentioned, however the fact is that the season is simply beginning now, and my focus is on enhancing day by day, on doing higher for the membership, successful with my teammates, successful right here. That’s the one factor on my thoughts. What’s mentioned on social media is past me.”
Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid scores his staff’s fifth aim from the penalty spot throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD2 match between Atletico de Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt.
The striker went additional, emphasizing his long-term targets. “Proper now, the main focus is on the season, and likewise on the World Cup. Though there’s nonetheless a protracted strategy to go till the World Cup, clearly as a participant you’ll be able to’t assist however give it some thought, as a result of it’s an important match. However like I mentioned, there’s nonetheless lots of time and now we have to take it recreation by recreation, step-by-step,” the striker added.
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Alvarez, Barcelona’s high precedence
Barcelona have been already eager on Álvarez again in 2024, when his exit from Manchester Metropolis appeared imminent, however their monetary struggles saved them from making a transfer. As a substitute, Atlético Madrid swooped in and landed the Argentine for €75 million—far past Barca’s attain on the time.
Now, Sport studies Álvarez is seen as Barcelona’s No. 1 switch goal for subsequent summer season. With Robert Lewandowski’s contract expiring on the finish of the season, membership president Joan Laporta sees the Atlético striker as a perfect substitute.
Any pursuit, nonetheless, comes with critical challenges. Álvarez is below contract at Atlético till 2030 with a €500 million launch clause. Whereas Barca consider Atlético would hearken to gives above €200 million, prying him away from Madrid would require not simply assets, however willpower.
