Barcelona target close to renewing contract with German giants | OneFootball

Julian Alvarez remains Barcelona’s top transfer target to reinforce the centre-forward position this summer, but Atletico Madrid’s refusal to negotiate has not made matters easy.

The Blaugrana, at this point, have decided to defer their next offer until the heat passes off and will likely move only after the World Cup.

Given how rare quality strikers are in today’s market and how much of a necessity it is for Barcelona after Robert Lewandowski’s departure, however, there is already a growing sense of understanding that a backup target is needed.

Harry Kane, on that front, has briefly arrived on the scene as a possible target although his pursuit is more of a dream than a realistic move.

Contract renewal in progress

Kane set to renew with Bayern Munich. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

As reported by The Athletic, via AS, Bayern Munich have already been in talks with the English striker for months about a possible contract renewal and are pleased with his services so far.

The negotiations, in fact, have moved positively and are even close to an agreement being reached. Needless to say, the news only takes Kane further away from a potential Barcelona transfer.

In fact, the response that Barcelona received to their offer was also that Kane is satisfied and happy at the German club and that he is not considering a move away. He is, thus, very close to a contract renewal.

Had he been interested in leaving, he had the option of activating a termination clause for the summer by informing his club in January, a step he did not take out of respect for the institution.

What are Barcelona’s options?

Julian Alvarez remains the priority. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

These are still early days in the transfer market, and with the World Cup ongoing, negotiations are far more complicated than usual.

Joan Laporta and Co., thus, continue to dream of signing Alvarez despite Atletico Madrid’s resistance and will make some more strong efforts for the player.

Should that deal fall apart, however, they have another name on their radar beyond even Harry Kane, and that selected target is Eli Junior Kroupi.

The 20-year-old Bournemouth star is seen as a top talent by the club’s administration, although the priority is to bring in a relatively seasoned presence if possible.