Barcelona are closing in on signing Newcastle star Anthony Gordon in a deal worth up to £69million, and Hansi Flick's side have already moved on to their next target
BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and Club Atlético de Madrid at Camp Nou on April 08, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez is in demand(Image: Alex Caparros - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Barcelona are preparing a bid of around €100million (£87m) for Arsenal target Julian Alvarez after making contact with Atletico Madrid. Alvarez, 26, is next on Barca's shopping list after they agreed a stunning €80m (£69m) deal with Newcastle for Anthony Gordon.
With Marcus Rashford coming to the end of his loan move and Robert Lewandowski having turned down a new contract, chiefs at the Camp Nou have moved quickly to refresh their forward line. And with a winger in Gordon on the verge of being secured, Barca want a striker to replace Lewandowski.
The Athletic report that Barcelona are in talks with Atletico, who want to make profit on the £82m which they paid to sign him from Manchester City in the summer of 2024. Alvarez is keen on joining Hansi Flick's side, who won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup this year.
It's added that Arsenal are also admirers of the Argentine, who's set to represent his country at the World Cup this summer. Atletico boss [Diego Simeone](http://Diego Simeone) confirmed Arsenal's interest ahead of the two teams' Champions League semi-final first leg last month.
"I'm not inside Julian Alvarez's head," Simeone said. "It's normal that an extraordinary player like Julian Alvarez is wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona. It's normal because he's very good."
Alvarez has scored 49 goals in 106 appearances since joining Atletico, including two against Barcelona this season. The 26-year-old missed the last stretch of the campaign through injury, including Atletico's 5-1 defeat to Villarreal on the final day which sent them down to fourth place.
Post-match, Simeone was once again asked about Alvarez's future. "It's not a question for me, it's a question for Julian," Simeone told Movistar. "He's old enough to know what he's going to do, and I imagine he's already made his decision."
Barcelona's Spanish defender #18 Gerard Martin and Atletico Madrid's Argentine forward #19 Julian Alvarez fight for the ball while Barcelona's Spanish defender #05 Pau Cubarsi lies on the field during the Copa del Rey (King's Cup) semi final second leg football match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Josep LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona are chasing Arsenal target Julian Alvarez(Image: Josep LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)
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As for the man himself, he's been tight-lipped on his whether or not he'll leave. Alvarez said in March: "Maybe yes (he'll stay), maybe no, you never know. "I'm very happy here. It's a question that keeps coming up, but I'm happy.
"I'm focused on the day-to-day, working to improve and give my all. I never said anything bad about the club. I'm very grateful. The people showed me their affection, and I'm very happy."
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