Barcelona number nine target ‘ticks a lot of boxes’ for decision-makers at club | OneFootball

Barcelona are keen to sign a striker next summer, but there is little word on an obvious target. However there is one name that has been reverberating around the Catalan media for the last few months with more volume than any others.

That would be Julian Alvarez, who enjoyed an impressive debut season at Atletico Madrid last year. His agent talked up the chances of a move to the Catalan giants during the summer, and one of his former coaches declared this week in Argentina that Alvarez was a Barcelona fan growing up. However Los Rojiblancos have been adamant that their star forward is not for sale.

Julian Alvarez ‘ticks a lot of boxes’ for Barcelona chiefs

On paper though, Alvarez is a signing that makes sense for Barcelona, at least according to The Athletic. They say that the World Cup-winner ticks a lot of boxes for the Blaugrana, due to his ability to play in different roles across the forward line, and his work without the ball, which would suit Hansi Flick’s pressing approach. Clearly, his ability to score goals is the number one attraction.

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Can Barcelona afford Julian Alvarez?

Although this hasn’t been an obstacle to Barcelona trying to sign players in the past, their failure to get a move over the line for Nico Williams over the last two years suggests that Barcelona’s salary limit struggles are impacting their business in a big way. It seems unlikely Atletico would be willing to let go of Alvarez, and as a a result of their finances, Barcelona would be unable to turn their heads by paying over the odds.

Los Rojiblancos’ fee paid for Alvarez could rise to €95m, and it seems unlikely they will be too worried about Barcelona presenting an offer they cannot refuse.