Just in: Real Madrid initiate contacts with top Barcelona target | OneFootball

In a major development, ESPN Argentina (h/t The Madrid Zone) has brought to light that Real Madrid have initiated contacts with the entourage of Julian Alvarez.

The report comes out of the blue, especially given how the centre-forward position was not really considered a priority this transfer window.

Moreover, the fact that Atletico Madrid refuse to let the player go for less than €150 million implies that there is a chance Perez sees the Argentine striker as his ‘marquee signing.’

A jab at Barcelona

It is well known at this point that Barcelona are going strongly after the striker as they see him as the heir to Robert Lewandowski. Their contacts with the player and leaks to the media even led to an infamous clash between the clubs on social media.

Barcelona are pushing for Alvarez. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Since then, talks between Alvarez and Barcelona have cooled off, and understandably so. For Perez to go after the same player whose signing the Catalans fumbled would not come as a massive surprise, as it would be a move that displays Los Blancos’ superiority on the global stage.

Concurrently, however, what remains the fact is that Alvarez is prioritising a move to Barcelona as well, and to convince him of a move to Real Madrid with a guaranteed starting spot in a lineup with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. will be complicated.

A puzzling move

Beyond anything else, the very fact that Real Madrid are even considering splashing the cash on a striker comes as a bamboozling update, especially given how Kylian Mbappe is set to be the team’s mainstay in the department for a long time to come.

Where will Alvarez fit in Real Madrid’s forward line. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

The fee for a hypothetical Alvarez signing will not be below €120 million at any cost, and Real Madrid have far more important departments to reinforce with that budget.

It thus remains to be seen how the saga develops, for it is seemingly impossible to find where and how the Atletico Madrid star can fit into the team’s current project.