The agent of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has addressed reported interest from FC Barcelona and a rumoured meeting with the Catalan club’s representatives in comments made to Eremnews.
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The agent of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has addressed reported interest from FC Barcelona and a rumoured meeting with the Catalan club’s representatives in comments made to Eremnews.
Barca has been linked to a potential attempt to sign Alvarez for a while now, and this week saw reports explaining he is the chosen ‘9’ to replace an aging Robert Lewandowski.
The Pole is in the last months of his contract which expires on June 30, and it’s widely expected that he’ll move on and head to the MLS or Saudi Arabia after four successful years at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Asked about a potential coup involving his client and whether he has been contacted by the likes of FC Barcelona Sporting Director Deco or President Joan Laporta, Alvarez’s agent Fernando Hidalgo said: “It’s not true. I haven’t met with Deco or anyone from Barcelona.”
“Any club interested in Julian should contact the Atletico Madrid board, since the player has a contract and is committed to it,” Hidalgo added.
Premier League clubs have also been linked to FC Barcelona target Alvarez
Elsewhere in Europe, English transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey cited anonymous sources when reporting that both Arsenal and Chelsea have held talks with intermediaries regarding Alvarez.
Already boasting Premier League experience thanks to his time at Manchester City, Alvarez wouldn’t take long to adapt to life in London.
Clubs from the the richest domestic championship in the sport are more than capable of meeting the 25-year-old’s salary demands, or even topping them, with the World Cup winner currently taking home $282,000 (€240,000) a week according to DAZN Espana.
Landing Alvarez won’t be easy for FC Barcelona
Though emulating his idol Lionel Messi by donning Blaugrana is apparently a dream of Alvarez’s, making it true won’t be easy.
As mentioned, it is only the Premier League outfits, or someone like PSG, that can afford such wages and a reported transfer fee of $176-235 million (€150-200 million) for a player who has a contract until 2030.
If he really wants to play for FC Barcelona, Alvarez might have to force his way out of his current club, which won’t go down well with the Atleti faithful as previously seen with the Antoine Griezmann debacle in 2019.