€90m-rated striker is not an option for Barcelona this summer – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are gearing up for their final La Liga fixture of the season against Athletic Club, with Hansi Flick’s side aiming to end on a high. While the outcome won’t affect their position in the table, the match presents an opportunity to finish the campaign with flair.

The focus at the Catalan club has already shifted to transfers and contract renewals and this is where Deco has to come into his own. The sporting director has already wrapped up renewals for Raphinha and Hansi Flick in the past week.

Barcelona have also moved on Alex Valle to Como on a permanent basis and AS Monaco are closing in on signing La Masia graduate Ansu Fati. However, once they wrap up a few exits, the club will have to start looking at potential signings as well.

Julian Alvarez this season. (Source: DataMB)

Julian Alvarez on the radar

Now, as per MARCA, one player who is not an option for Barcelona this summer is Julian Alvarez, who plays for Atletico Madrid. The Argentine striker’s name has been floated in reference to the Catalan club for quite some time now.

However, Alvarez moved from Manchester City to Atletico only at the beginning of the 2024/25 season and he wants to continue representing the Red and White of Madrid. The €90m-rated star has had a brilliant first season in La Liga.

In 53 games across all competitions for Diego Simeone’s side, Alvarez has scored 29 goals and provided 6 assists. It is fair to say based on these numbers that the Argentine’s decision to leave Manchester City in search of prominence has played out as expected.

Could we see Alvarez in a Barcelona jersey in the future? (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

One for the future

As per the report, Barcelona’s interest in Alvarez is very much genuine. He is one of the club’s dream signings, but not for the current summer, but rather for the future. It could tie in with Robert Lewandowski’s future at the club.

Julian Alvarez remains a long-term target for Barcelona, but a move this summer appears off the table. With Robert Lewandowski entering the final year of his contract in 2025/26, a future pursuit of the Argentine could align perfectly. For now, it’s a name to keep an eye on, perhaps not this window, but certainly in those to come.