Barcelona accept Atletico Madrid will not soften stance on Julian Alvarez | OneFootball

Barcelona have had one dream transfer target throughout the summer transfer window in Julian Alvarez but have faced a very stubborn Atletico Madrid standing in their way.

After weeks of waiting for Los Colchoneros to open the door and relax their stance about selling their talisman, the time has now come for Barça to make a decision.

The club have accepted that signing Julian Alvarez this summer is becoming increasingly unrealistic, with Atletico Madrid standing firm.

According to journalist Achraf Ben Ayad, Barcelona now believe Atletico Madrid will not alter their stance regarding Alvarez, effectively closing the door on a move under the current circumstances.

Atletico are standing firm

Alvarez pursuit is becoming more and more difficult. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Atletico lost Antoine Griezmann last summer, with the French legend leaving as a free agent, and it looks like they do not want to lose their other star in the same summer.

Barcelona and Atletico are technically title rivals, at least according to the latter’s ambitions, and they do not want to strengthen a local rival.

Alvarez has had a brilliant couple of seasons in Diego Simeone’s team and, despite his desire to leave this summer, Atletico are in no mood to do any favours.

If Atletico remain firm, Barcelona’s recruitment team will likely have to focus on alternative options.

The club have been without a number nine since Robert Lewandowski left at the end of last season, and they will have to see whether there are any other strikers in the market they can focus their attention on.

Barcelona may soon have to look for alternatives. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Bournemouth attacker Eli Junior Kroupi is considered one of the players Deco would like to sign as an alternative, but even that deal will not be easy.

A difficult deal from the start

Since the first time the Catalan club submitted a bid for Alvarez, this has always promised to be a difficult, long-drawn-out transfer saga.

Ultimately, Alvarez is on a long-term contract with an unrealistic release clause, making it entirely Atletico’s decision to call the shots.

Rather than negotiating from a position of weakness, Barça should try to turn up the pressure by looking at other players for the same position.

If Atletico relax their stance later in the window, the Catalan club can revisit the situation. Otherwise, it is time Deco starts looking at other options as their successor to Lewandowski.