Atletico Madrid are prepared to make 26-year-old striker their highest paid player to deter Barcelona interest – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona increasingly look like they are making Julian Alvarez their number one striker target. The Argentinian is one of the most talented number nines going around but would not be cheap from a Catalan club perspective.

According to MARCA, the Madrid club want to improve Alvarez’s contract and make him the highest-paid player in Diego Simeone’s squad. The proposed package would reportedly reach €10 million, made up of €9 million in fixed salary and another €1 million through relatively achievable bonuses.

That would be a significant rise from his current earnings, which the report places at around €7 million, including variables. Just as importantly, it would lift him to the top of Atletico’s wage scale, alongside or above the club’s current best-paid figures.

The message behind it is obvious. Atletico know there is external noise around Alvarez, with Barcelona viewing him among the strongest options to replace Lewandowski, while other major clubs, including Arsenal, also admire him.

From a Barca point of view, this is the clearest sign yet that Atletico are trying to shut the door before the market really opens. They already have the security of a contract running to 2030 and a huge €500 million release clause, but they still seem to believe emotional and financial reassurance matters.

Atletico are not acting like a club that feels completely relaxed. They are acting like one that knows Alvarez has become central enough to deserve special treatment, and important enough to protect from future temptation.

Being the highest-paid player is Atletico is a gesture that could go a long way in convincing Alvarez to stay with Diego Simeone’ side. He has the chance to become the biggest face there, especially with Griezmann leaving at the end of the season.

It remains to be seen if Atletico offer him a new contract and what the Argentinian’s response is.