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Barcelona submit opening offer for Julian Alvarez - Romano

29 May 2026 11:10 BST | 4 min read

Julian Alvarez, Barcelona

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Barcelona have sent an official bid worth €100 million to Atletico Madrid for top target Julian Alvarez, according to football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Argentina international has been heavily linked with a Camp Nou switch for several months and he has now formally communicated his desire to join Hansi Flick’s side on a permanent deal during the upcoming summer transfer window" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/05/fc-barcelona-fabrizio-romano-julian-alvarez-atletico-madrid" target="_blank">he has now formally communicated his desire to join Hansi Flick’s side on a permanent deal during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Alvarez scored 20 goals and provided nine assists in 49 games across all competitions during the 2025-26 season and Barcelona have earmarked him as their dream candidate to replace Robert Lewandowski, who will leave the club as a free agent in July following a hugely successful four-year stint.

Barcelona have also been linked with Chelsea forward Joao Pedro in recent weeks, however Xabi Alonso’s side have no intention of sanctioning a sale and the Blaugrana have now ramped up their bid to sign Alvarez instead.

The former Manchester City striker is also wanted by Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but he is eager to join Barcelona and they have taken the first step to finalising a deal, as confirmed by Romano.

He posted on X" href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2060298651436535963" target="_blank">X: “BREAKING: Barcelona send first official proposal to Atlético Madrid for Julián Álvarez worth €100m.

“No add-ons, no players involved. Atlético, not happy about the situation over last 24h - but Julián has already asked to leave.”

Julian Alvarez, Atletico Madrid

Barcelona want Julian Alvarez

Alvarez is viewed as the ideal player to bolster Barcelona’s attacking ranks, with the club eager to build a formidable front three that includes the Argentina star leading the line and Raphinha and Lamine Yamal on either flank.

Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon will also compete for a place in the starting XI, with Barcelona reaching an agreement to sign him for €80m this summer.

As a result, a permanent deal for Marcus Rashford, who spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Camp Nou, seems highly unlikely as things stand as Barca are also keen to sign a new left-footed central defender before the start of the new La Liga campaign.