FC Barcelona let Julián Álvarez slip away for a bargain price

Julián Álvarez is one of the trending names in the world of football. Aside from the controversy surrounding his figure due to the canceled penalty in the shootout against Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16, the Argentine is becoming the standout player for Atlético de Madrid this season, tallying 22 goals and 5 assists in 43 matches.

These are the numbers of a true star that have put him in everyone's mouth, as the top clubs in the world have started to follow him closely for the future. Liverpool is reportedly preparing an offer exceeding 100 million euros to bring him into their ranks for the next season, while FC Barcelona remains attentive to his situation from afar, although right now he would not be a priority for the club.

However, the Catalans are great admirers of the Cordoban. In fact, Pau Cubarsí, who just played against him in La Liga and will face him again in the upcoming days in the Cup, confessed without hesitation that he would like to have him as a teammate in the team managed by Hansi Flick, a scenario that, as of today, seems very complex due to his status as a star in the Atlético squad and the high figures that would be involved in a hypothetical operation.

Barça could have signed Julián at a 'bargain price'

And it is that Atlético bought Álvarez from Manchester City for 80 million euros... although the Catalans could have secured his services before his departure to the Etihad Stadium for a figure close to ¡22 'kilos'!. This was revealed by 'Relevo', which reported that Barça got to know the player through Josep Maria Minguella, a figure historically linked to the club, who was in turn alerted by Enzo Francescoli, technical secretary of River Plate.

During one of the Uruguayan's visits to the Catalan city, he spoke to Minguella about Julián and mentioned his release clause of 22 'kilos'. He even offered his signing to Mateu Alemany. However, the Blaugrana had their eyes set on the Premier League and preferred to go for Ferran Torres, leaving the path clear for the 'skyblues' to sign the 'Spider' for 21 million, one less than what his clause indicated.

Now, with the forward established as one of the great figures in the world of football, the Catalans could attempt to sign him next summer, although names like Luis Díaz and Alexander Isak are ranked much higher on their priority list.