Atletico Madrid ready to move for Barcelona-linked free-agent striker | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have been left frustrated by Atletico Madrid’s position over priority transfer target Julian Alvarez.

The Rojiblancos remain unmoved from their position that the Argentine international is not for sale, despite Barça tabling a bid and the player himself asking to leave.

Now, it appears that Atletico Madrid director, Mateu Alemany, is planning to steal one of the strikers linked with the Blaugrana this summer.

Atletico Madrid move for Vlahovic

Indeed, according to Matteo Moretto (h/t SPORT), Atleti’s priority is now to complete the signing of Dusan Vlahovic.

It is a move designed to strengthen Diego Simeone’s attack but not in any way linked with the future of Alvarez. Instead, it is seen as Los Colchoneros preparing for the possible departure of Alexander Sorloth.

Atletico to move for Vlahovic. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Any move for the Serbian striker, however, will depend on outgoing transfers.

Barça monitoring, Atletico making the move

Vlahovic has attracted interest from several clubs across Europe, including Barcelona. In fact, until now, the striker has been delaying talks with other clubs waiting to see if the La Liga champions make an offer.

The Blaugrana, though, have yet to make a concrete move, preferring to wait for developments in other operations, particularly the future of Ferran Torres.

That hesitation has allowed Alemany to step in. The Atletico sporting director has begun exploring the striker’s situation, with the report suggesting that Vlahovic now sees a move to the Metropolitano as his preferred option.

At 26, Vlahovic is now a free agent after the expiry of his contract with Juventus, meaning he is available to join any club without a transfer fee.

Barcelona have not made a move for Vlahovic. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

The Serbian striker endured another difficult campaign because of injury setbacks.

Adductor and calf problems prevented him from building any real momentum, limiting him to 23 appearances, during which he scored 10 goals and provided two assists.

Those fitness concerns have made some clubs cautious, but there is still widespread belief that, if he can stay healthy, Vlahovic possesses the quality and goalscoring instincts to rediscover his best form.

Another Barça-linked target for Atletico?

Should Sorloth depart, Atletico could once again beat Barcelona to the signing of a player previously linked with the Catalan club.

The Spanish capital club are already closing in on Cristian Romero, another footballer who had been heavily linked with Barça earlier in the summer.

That move is seen as a strategy from Alemany to convince Alvarez to stay, given that he and Romero are close friends from their time together with the Argentina national team.