Barcelona begin negotiations with La Liga club for transfer of priority signing | OneFootball

According to reports emerging from El Chiringuito TV, it has come to light that Barcelona have entered into direct negotiations with Atletico Madrid over the possible signing of Julian Alvarez.

Barcelona are seriously considering the Argentine striker as the long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, whose departure is now forcing the club to accelerate plans for a new attacking leader.

The situation remains extremely complicated financially and politically, but there is now growing belief that Alvarez himself is becoming increasingly open to leaving Atletico Madrid.

A strong push for Alvarez

The latest developments suggest that Alvarez has already rejected a renewal proposal from Atletico Madrid, with the striker seeking a more ambitious sporting project moving forward.

On that note, Barcelona’s interest has intensified, especially as the club view the Argentine as one of the few forwards capable of leading the attack in the post-Lewandowski era. 

Julian Alvarez wants to play for Barcelona. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

As such, reports also indicate that both sides are waiting for the other to make the decisive move.

Alvarez is believed to be waiting for Barcelona to prove that a transfer is financially possible, while the Blaugrana are hoping for a stronger signal from the player himself to help push negotiations forward.

Despite the growing optimism around the operation, Atletico Madrid remain reluctant to lose their franchise player and are demanding more than €150 million to even consider opening the door fully.

However, Alvarez’s desire to explore a new challenge has now created a complicated situation. 

Barcelona have explored alternatives

Atletico and Barcelona have started negotiating for the Argentine. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Barcelona have also explored creative formulas to reduce the total cost of the operation. 

As reported before, one of the ideas discussed involved including Ferran Torres as part of the deal alongside a fixed transfer fee.

That option, though, appears to have collapsed after Ferran made it clear that he does not want to leave Camp Nou this summer.

Now, since Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have engaged in negotiations, it remains to be seen at what price they will really allow the Argentine to leave.