Barcelona have cooled their pursuit of Victor Osimhen, with their transfer attention shifting to Argentina forward Julián Álvarez of Atlético Madrid. The change comes amid growing confidence that Barcelona can move quickly for a player viewed internally as a long-term target.
The pivot follows a major statement of intent from Barça after they secured Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon for a reported €80 million. With that deal completed, the club’s recruitment focus appears to have broadened to a new marquee striker option.
Quick facts
- Barcelona have ended their interest in Victor Osimhen as their top target.
- Barcelona’s new priority is Julián Álvarez of Atlético Madrid.
- Barcelona recently signed Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon for €80 million.
- Barça are expected to make an offer for Álvarez in the short term.
- No swap deal is preferred, and player-involved arrangements are not planned.
- Atlético have been told Álvarez wants to leave.
- Álvarez is not expected to extend his contract.
- Atlético previously hoped to keep him until mid-2031; his deal runs until summer 2030.
- A reported buyout clause stands at €500 million.
- While no fee is confirmed here, prior reports have suggested around €150 million.
- Álvarez joined Atlético from Manchester City in summer 2024 for about €90 million.
Barcelona are said to see Álvarez as a dream signing, particularly after earlier links to Osimhen. The plan now is straightforward: present an offer soon, rather than wait and let the market move on.
Swap arrangements are not viewed as the route Barcelona want. The intention is to avoid multi-million dollar deals that pull other players into the structure, keeping the focus on a direct transfer approach.
Behind the scenes, negotiations are reportedly intensifying with the help of intermediaries. The parties appear to be working toward a workable path that fits Barcelona’s timeline and Atlético’s position.
Contract situation and price expectations
Álvarez has reportedly already notified Atlético Madrid that he wants to leave. He is also not looking to renew, even as Atlético had aimed to retain him until mid-2031.
His current contract is set to run until the summer of 2030 and is reported to include a buyout clause worth €500 million. Although no exact transfer fee has been specified in this update, several outlets previously projected a figure in the region of €150 million.
Álvarez made the move from Manchester City to Atlético in the summer of 2024, with a reported payment of roughly €90 million at the time. With his intentions clear and negotiations now heating up, Barcelona’s next step is expected to be an approach for a striker they believe can become central to their plans.
