Atletico Madrid have named their final asking price for FC Barcelona when it comes to trying to sign Julian Alvarez this summer, according to SPORT and Esport3 in Catalonia citing anonymous sources.
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Atletico Madrid have named their final asking price for FC Barcelona when it comes to trying to sign Julian Alvarez this summer according to SPORT and Esport3 in Catalonia, citing anonymous sources.
In short, Atleti wants $171 million (€150 million) from the Catalans in order to secure the Argentine.
That’s upfront in cash SPORT explains, with no margin to negotiate deferred payments or lower the asking price by including Barça players in a potential part exchange deal.
That means Atletico aren’t interested in Blaugrana stars such as Marc Casado, Ferran Torres or anyone else Sporting Director Deco might put on the table.
While Casado is expected to leave his boyhood club this summer, and has been linked to the likes of AS Monaco and AC Milan, Torres should have his contract extended while Barça seeks another striker in light of Robert Lewandowski’s exit.
On June 30 this week, Lewandowski will depart FC Barcelona as a modern day club legend and free agent because of his contract expiring. In four storied seasons, he lifted the La Liga title three times and scored 120 goals.
Alvarez is the chosen successor to Lewy’s number 9 shirt. Yet getting a deal over the line for him with Atleti is proving a hard task after reports from Argentina explained he’d agreed to join Barça on a five-year deal.
Barcelona has arch nemesis Real Madrid to thank for this
Florentino Perez knew exactly what he was doing when he bid $171 million for Alvarez.
Keeping a promise made on the campaign trail, President Perez’s offer for the striker was swiftly knocked back by Atleti.
There’s a belief that Perez was never really serious about Alvarez. In turn, however, he honoured his promise to Real Madrid members that voted him in for another term leading their club, while also sabotaging Barça’s attempt to land Alvarez.
After Alvarez publicly revealed at the World Cup that he wishes to leave Atleti, however, the club from the capital might still be forced into a sale.
“The truth is that I don’t know,” Alvarez told ESPN after another Lionel Messi-led victory for Argentina over Austria.
“I don’t think it’s the time to talk, but I can’t hide either. I try to be an honest person. I spoke to the people at the club, who I had to talk to. I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfill my dream,” Alvarez added.
That “dream” is believed to be a move to Barcelona. As said, though, we still can’t rule out Atleti wanting to get rid of a player that doesn’t want to be at the Metropolitano, and who is sure to receive a frosty reception from his own fans there is he’s still in Diego Simeone’s squad once the 2026/2027 season kicks off.
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