Barcelona Pauses Julián Álvarez Pursuit as Deco Searches for No.9

Barcelona have stepped back from an immediate move for Julián Álvarez, accepting that prising the Argentina international away from Atlético Madrid before the window shuts is, for now, out of reach.

Club sources say Barça have not closed the door on Álvarez altogether — a renewed attempt, even as early as January, remains on the table — but Atlético’s hardline stance has forced sporting director Deco to widen the search.

Atlético stand firm, Barça back off… for now

Álvarez has been the preferred option for months. Earlier in the summer, Barcelona saw an offer of around €100 million rejected, with Atlético repeating the same message each time: the former Manchester City forward is not for sale.

That position has not shifted, even after Álvarez told ESPN he wants to move clubs. Barcelona hoped those public comments might crack Atlético’s resolve. They haven’t.

Internally, the feeling now is clear: unless there is what one source called a “radical” late twist, this is not a deal that will happen in this window.

Flick wants a striker, the club is split

Hansi Flick has been consistent since walking through the door. He wants a No.9. With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres gone, the German coach views a central striker as essential to his blueprint.

Not everyone at the club agrees.

Several influential figures believe the squad already holds enough attacking variety to cope without a new specialist centre-forward. They point to the flexibility of the current forwards and the tactical options Flick already has at his disposal.

Still, the coach is pushing. If it’s not Álvarez, he wants someone.

Internal solutions on the table

Names are not in short supply inside the dressing room.

• Raphinha
• Karim Adeyemi
• Anthony Gordon
• Lamine Yamal

are all seen as players who could operate through the middle if required. Flick has other cards to play as well: Fermín López and Dani Olmo have both featured as false nines in the past.

The only natural striker who has actually gone through preseason with the squad is 18-year-old Egypt international Hamza Abdelkarim, a raw option but a genuine No.9.

Market options shrinking fast

Barcelona’s search has already hit several dead ends.

Earlier this summer, the club explored moves for João Pedro and Junior Kroupi. That path is now closed. João Pedro has signed a new deal with Chelsea, while Kroupi, at Bournemouth, faces up to four months out with a foot injury.

Other names have surfaced as the window ticks down. Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez and Sporting CP forward Luis Suárez have both been linked in recent weeks, but the financial reality bites hard: the cost of either deal is currently viewed inside Barça as prohibitive.

One source says Barcelona have tracked Benjamin Sesko “for years,” yet any attempt to sign the Manchester United attacker is described as impossible in the present market conditions.

Villarreal pair emerge as live options

With elite targets blocked by price or refusal, attention has turned to more attainable profiles.

• Ayoze Pérez
• Georges Mikautadze

have both been discussed internally. Club analysts, in particular, have been struck by Mikautadze’s numbers and his performances since arriving in Spain, viewing him as a data-backed option who fits the style.

For now, Deco continues to work the phones while Flick waits for clarity. The coach wants a striker. The board weighs the budget. And somewhere between those two forces, Barcelona must decide whether this season’s No.9 comes from the transfer market — or from within their own dressing room.