Liverpool are known for taking advantage of market opportunities to make unexpected signings, and with the news that Atletico Madrid are looking for a Premier League buyer for Julian Alvarez, it would be worth a second look for the Reds.
The 2026 summer transfer window has been very quiet for Liverpool, with sporting director Richard Hughes completing just two signings so far for Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz.
Considering a deal was agreed for Jacquet in January, it’s fair to say Liverpool have only really made one signing this summer so far, even though reports claim they are working on signing Bradley Barcola from PSG.
With the slim chance that deal collapses, Liverpool need to think long and hard about alternatives.
The market for elite wingers this summer is rather dire, so if the Barcola deal falls through for whatever reason, Liverpool should consider moving for a top striker instead.
This would solve the Hugo Ekitike problem and offer Andoni Iraola the option of moving to a two-striker system while waiting a year to sign his dream winger.
Atletico Madrid refuse to sell Julian Alvarez to Barcelona, want Premier League sale instead
Spanish news outlet Marca claims that Atletico Madrid have outright refused to sell Alvarez to Barcelona, and are instead looking for a Premier League to sell the striker to.
Marca reports Julián Alvarez only has 2 options:
• Remain at Atletico despite a fanbase angered by his desire to leave
• Arrive with offer from abroad (major Bid from ??????? that could persuade the club to reconsider its refusal to sell (also refuses to sell to Barca) pic.twitter.com/nALLn4eHMf
The report reads: “With the doors leading to Barcelona completely closed after Atlético’s exasperation over the tactics used from Camp Nou to try to convince the Spider, which ultimately led to a complaint being filed with the RFEF and FIFA, as well as after Miguel Ángel Gil stepped into the spotlight to make it clear that he would not accept any offer from Barcelona, there does not appear to be an easy scenario for the Argentine.
“It is a matter of continuing as a Rojiblanco with fans up in arms over his “snub,” or showing up in the offices with an offer from abroad (after his spell at City, the Premier League was no longer part of his ideal roadmap, but rather staying in LaLiga) that changes the executives’ intention not to agree to his sale.”
Not only have Barcelona angered Atletico to the point of spite, but selling to a Premier League team guarantees Atleti the greatest chance of maximising the Argentine’s already high market value.
Alvarez is great, but is he worth €15.6m per year on top of an expected €120m+ transfer fee?
Last season, Alvarez was fantastic for Atletico Madrid, contributing 20 goals and 9 assists in 49 games. Not only is he a more-than-reliable attacking outlet, but his out-of-possession ability is also tailor-made for a manager like Andoni Iraola.
When the 26-year-old left Manchester City for La Liga in 2024, it was a tad unfortunate that he was unavailable to Liverpool due to their rivalry with the Mancunians. The £82m (€100m) Atleti paid was a bargain in my opinion.
Alvarez is a lethal finisher. Whether it’s from penalties, open play, free kicks, counter-attacks, one-touch finishes or long-range strikes, the former River Plate star is one of the best forwards in world football.
In my opinion, he is absolutely worth the €120m (£102m) that Transfermarkt suggests he is worth. There is an argument to be made that Liverpool don’t need another elite striker, but when it comes to modern football, you can never really have too many top forwards.
Hugo Ekitike will be sidelined until Boxing Day, but the Frenchman is not a natural No.9 and is often best when allowed to drift into the left half space or from the left wing itself.
Alvarez would be a pricey signing beyond the initial transfer fee, though, with his reported wages worth €300,000 per week (£256k-a-week) but he strikes me as the sort of player that Iraola could take to even greater heights than he has already reached.
As a World Cup champion and back-to-back finalist, there is also a weight of elite experience behind his undeniable talent.
His career record speaks for itself:
River Plate (54 goals and 31 assists)
Manchester City (36 goals and 19 assists)
Atletico Madrid (49 goals and 17 assists)
Total: 140 goals and 67 assists in 333 career club games. Not bad for a 26-year-old at all…