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Atletico Madrid are preparing for a major summer overhaul. The Spanish giants are reportedly open to selling forward Julian Alvarez if a record bid arrives.
The club are aiming to fund ambitious moves for high-profile targets such as Bernardo Silva and Cristian Romero as they look to rebuild Diego Simeone’s struggling squad following the departure of Antoine Griezmann.
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Former Liverpool-linked forward Alvarez is attracting interest from Barcelona. Reports last year revealed that when Alvarez was seeking a move away from Manchester City in the summer of 2024, Liverpool explored an audacious swap deal that would have seen Luis Díaz head to the Etihad while the World Cup winner moved to Anfield.
Man City rejected the proposal, and Alvarez instead secured a big-money move to Atletico Madrid in a deal worth more than £80million. Meanwhile, Diaz remained at Anfield for one final title-winning season before joining Bayern Munich last summer.
Barcelona view Alvarez as a long-term successor in attack following the departure of Robert Lewandowski, although the Catalan club’s ongoing financial issues could complicate any potential deal.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Alvarez has formally informed Atletico Madrid of his desire to leave the club. Barcelona are preparing an initial official bid worth around €100million.
Romano posted on his Instagram page: “Julián Álvarez has also formally communicated to Atlético Madrid his desire to leave.
“His desire would be to join Barceona and after a meeting with his agents in Spain, Atléti are officially informed Barcelona are preparing an initial official bid to be sent next days in the region of €100m, as exclusively reported.”
Julian Alvarez remains under contract with Atletico Madrid until 2030. Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco are both believed to be admirers of the Argentine, with Barcelona monitoring his situation for around a year.
Arsenal are also interested in Alvarez, with Atletico boss Diego Simeone previously confirming the Premier League club’s admiration for the striker ahead of the two sides’ Champions League semi-final clash in April.
Alvarez scored 20 goals in 49 appearances for Atletico this season. Across the 2024/25 campaign, he registered 29 goals in 57 games.