Top attacking target could be tempted for Barcelona move as frustration with Atletico Madrid grows | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid may have won their battle against Barcelona in the Champions League this season. But with a tough fixture against Arsenal coming up, the club are still staring at the possibility of finishing the season without a trophy.

This does not bode well for the club’s hopes of retaining the services of their top striker, Julian Alvarez, who is not accustomed to not winning titles.

This is where things get interesting for Barcelona, who have identified the Argentine as a priority target.

Alvarez could be tempted by Barcelona move

According to Diario SPORT, Barcelona are monitoring the situation of Julian Alvarez, and the circumstances surrounding the Argentine are beginning to work in their favour.

The Argentine’s career at River Plate, Manchester City and the Argentine national team has been defined by trophies, and last season marked the first time in years that he ended a campaign empty-handed.

This season appears to be heading in the same direction, with Atletico having already been eliminated from the Copa del Rey and facing an uphill battle against Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals.

Will Alvarez leave Atleti this summer? (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

The report adds that the striker has reportedly shown visible signs of irritation with Diego Simeone’s management on more than one occasion this season, particularly regarding substitution decisions.

For a player of his quality and ambition, those concerns are unlikely to go unnoticed.

Barcelona, by contrast, have demonstrated under Hansi Flick that they are once again a club capable of competing for major honours. That is precisely the kind of environment Alvarez has always thrived in.

The obstacle, however, is a significant one. Alvarez’s transfer fee is expected to exceed €100 million, making any deal an enormous financial undertaking.

Should Lewandowski depart at the end of the season, as has been suggested, Barcelona may have little choice but to pursue an ambitious move for a world-class striker.