Barcelona reportedly look set to push until the end of the transfer window for Atletico Madrid striker and Arsenal target Julian Alvarez.
According to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Barca president Joan Laporta will make funds available for his club to pursue a deal for Alvarez.
The Argentina international is likely to be hugely expensive, with a report from the Independent earlier today stating he could cost around £128m.
Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust
In that report, it was suggested that Arsenal and Atletico both felt Barcelona would not be able to afford that, but perhaps things have now changed, as per Plettenberg’s X post below…
?? BREAKING | Understand FC Barcelona have made their decision internally: Julian Alvarez until Deadline Day or nothing!
Hansi Flick fully supports the move. Deco is pushing for Alvarez and will not give up.
Other strikers have been explored, but if Alvarez cannot be signed,… pic.twitter.com/NPF54EtMyB
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 26, 2026
Plettenberg posted: “BREAKING | Understand FC Barcelona have made their decision internally: Julian Alvarez until Deadline Day or nothing! Hansi Flick fully supports the move. Deco is pushing for Alvarez and will not give up.
“Other strikers have been explored, but if Alvarez cannot be signed, Barca could end up signing no further striker unless an exceptional opportunity emerges on the market.
“Joan Laporta has made the financial means available for the Alvarez transfer. It now depends on Atlético Madrid.”
Arsenal dealt huge Julian Alvarez blow
Given that it has widely been reported that Alvarez only wants to join Barcelona despite the interest from Arsenal, this looks like being a huge blow to the Gunners.
Julian Alvarez lining up for Atletico Madrid (Photo by Flor Tan Jun/Getty Images)
The 26-year-old may well have been tempted to consider a move to the Emirates Stadium if Barcelona couldn’t come in with an offer, but it seems that’s no longer the case.
Of course, it remains to be seen if Atletico will be willing to green light this move, as one imagines they would…
..
