Dream Barcelona target considers public gesture as Atletico resistance continues | OneFootball

Julian Alvarez is becoming more than a transfer target for FC Barcelona. He is now a potential key to the operation itself.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Argentine forward is considering whether to make a public gesture that would show his desire to join Barca this summer.

That matters because Atletico Madrid remain firm. They do not want to strengthen a domestic and European rival, especially with a player who is their main star and under contract until 2030.

The report says Alvarez and his agent, Fernando Hidalgo, are measuring their next steps carefully. Meetings with Deco in recent weeks seem to have taken place, and the lack of any firm denial has only increased the belief that the player is open to a move.

The club have even been planning a record bid to submit to Atletico after the World Cup.

Barca should be patient, but not passive

For Barcelona, this is the delicate part. A public message from Alvarez would help pressure Atletico and give the Madrid club a stronger justification for negotiating in the eyes of their own fans.

But the timing is complicated. Alvarez is with Argentina at the World Cup, and he will not want to look distracted while representing the defending champions.

It is very evident that the Catalan club see the Argentine as the long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski and want to bring him to the Camp Nou.

They have already seen one bid rejected by the Madrid-based club, who then used their social media handles to mock Barca about the bid they submitted.

The good thing for the Catalan club is that there is confidence Alvarez and his camp will choose the right moment if they decide to make their intentions public.

A public statement from the 26-year-old could effectively force Atletico’s hand and push them not to keep a player against his wishes.

However, it comes at the risk of the Argentine attacker antagonising the Metropolitano fans, and it remains to be seen how he walks this tightrope and, hopefully, ends up on the side of Barcelona.