Hansi Flick hints Barcelona may not sign a striker without Julian Alvarez | OneFootball

Hansi Flick suggested Barcelona could finish the window without adding a striker unless Julian Alvarez arrives, speaking before Thursdays rearranged matchday one fixture against Athletic Bilbao at 21:00. According to L'E9quipe, the pursuit centres on the Atl9tico Madrid forward.

Flick said president Joan Laporta had spoken clearly the previous day and that he and sporting director Deco agreed with him on the clubs stance.

Earlier on Wednesday, Laporta told club media Barcelona were keeping a 100 million euros offer on the table for Alvarez and wanted an agreement with Atl9tico if they decide to sell.

Alvarez was jeered at the Metropolitano on Sunday in La Liga, then missed training on Wednesday, with Atl9tico saying he was ill. He wants to leave the club.

Having started the season without a number nine after Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres departed, Flick said he trusts his current squad and is not pushing for a new centre-forward before the deadline. He preferred not to discuss Alvarez directly, stressing the need to balance present aims with the clubs future.

If an Alvarez deal does not materialise, Flick said he would find solutions by adapting his line-up, including using Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, or new signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi through the middle.

After a 5-0 win at Elche, Barcelona host Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou on Thursday for their first home game of the season. Spains World Cup winner Rodri, the clubs marquee summer recruit, is expected to make his debut, the coach said.

Source: L'Équipe

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