Follow Us on Google
Barcelona sporting director, Deco said the club have put the failed pursuit of Atletico Madrid forward, Julian Alvarez behind them and ruled out any future attempt to sign the Argentine.
Following the departures of Robert Lewandowski as a free agent to MLS side Chicago Fire and Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain, the Spanish champions made Alvarez their primary summer target for a mobile number nine.
Barcelona tabled a formal offer of around €100 million, structured to be paid over three seasons, but Atletico firmly rejected it and repeatedly stated the player was not for sale to their La Liga rivals.
Barcelona ultimately signed Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal for an initial fee of €10 million late in the window as their alternative.
Speaking to reporters at the Portugal Football Summit in Oeiras, Deco stated that the Alvarez pursuit is over.
He said, “The idea was always to bring in a mobile number nine, with the ability to link up with teammates, and Julián was one of those players. It wasn’t possible; we made an offer. The club has always said they wouldn’t sell him, and we’ve had to look for other solutions.
“The story with Julián Alvarez is in the past, we have to look ahead, we’re happy with everything else. I hope he’s doing well too, helping his club, and in the end, that’s what it’s all about. There are many deals, many signings that get done.
“Gabriel Jesus wasn’t in our plans, and the moment we decided that Julián was impossible, we started looking for solutions, and Gabriel was the perfect fit for us. The idea hasn’t changed; it was to find a player with the same profile.”
