Barcelona ‘to move for’ Julián Álvarez after completing Anthony Gordon deal | OneFootball

Barcelona are accelerating a move for Julián Álvarez after sealing Anthony Gordon, as Joan Laporta seeks to open his new mandate with unprecedented spending. Sporting director Deco is driving the push, working ahead of the World Cup window. Gordon’s transfer was closed for €70 million plus €10m in add-ons.

Mundo Deportivo reports that Deco met in Barcelona with Álvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, alongside representatives of Dani Olmo, including Juanma López, to shape a plan for the deal. The talks aim to persuade Apollo, the United States conglomerate that owns the club, of the operation’s value. Diplomacy is viewed as crucial given Atlético’s director of professional football is Mateu Alemany, whose Barça exit left unresolved fractures.

Barça intend not to let negotiations drag, wary the World Cup could inflate Álvarez’s price. He was one of Argentina’s standout performers at the 2022 triumph. The price will not be below €100m, and Barça are banking on the striker making clear he prefers them to Luis Enrique’s PSG.

Álvarez is the priority target shared by Laporta, Deco and head coach Hansi Flick, who wants a top-tier centre forward after Robert Lewandowski’s departure. Gordon was used as a nine in the Champions League, scoring 10 goals, four of them in one game against Qarabag, but he fits better on the left wing and will compete with Raphinha. Marcus Rashford’s situation remains unresolved, with €30m due to Manchester United to retain him, and Gordon’s arrival complicates that route as Rashford grows impatient.

Flick has underlined that the incoming striker must combine well and press, but above all deliver goals. Barça believe Álvarez, who has eight in 29 league appearances this season and 10 in 15 in the Champions League, could lift those returns under Flick.

With arrivals gathering pace, senior departures are also anticipated at Spotify Camp Nou.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo