Should Barça go for Julián Álvarez? The Argentine, disappointed at Atlético

Julián Álvarez has had an outstanding season with Atlético de Madrid. Although the team led by Diego Simeone will end the season without titles, the Argentine striker delivered with 26 goals and 5 assists in his first 49 matches with the 'rojiblanca' shirt.

In that sense, the latest information points to Julián's discomfort with a team unable to reach the final stretch of the season with options to win something. The 'colchoneros' practically said goodbye to their chances of fighting for LaLiga in mid-March, after falling at home to FC Barcelona (2-4) in a week where they were also eliminated from the Champions League.

The elimination in the round of 16 against Real Madrid was a 'blow' from which Atleti never managed to recover. To make matters worse, Barça also kicked them out of the Copa del Rey in the 'semis' at the beginning of April, turning the last two months of 24-25 into an ordeal for the squad.

Julián Álvarez does not rule out leaving Atlético. Is Barça his ideal destination?

Therefore, Álvarez does not rule out listening to offers in the next market, although he knows that his release price (150 million euros) will be a difficult obstacle to overcome when negotiating with other clubs. Atlético paid 80 'kilos' for his signing, for which they set a high clause, valid until 2030, to ensure a record sale if the 'Spider' asks to leave.

For Barça, Julián would be a luxury replacement for Robert Lewandowski, since he is a '9' specialist in entering and leaving the area, capable of playing in any position near the area.

In addition, he is a young player (25) who has already won everything with Manchester City and the Argentine national team, including the World Cup, the Champions League and the Copa Libertadores, in addition to the Copa América and the Premier League.

However, his transfer will be impossible for Barcelona to assume this year, unless the club closes one or two important sales. Players like Ronald Araujo and Gavi could leave enough money to amortize the arrival of a '9' like the Argentine, but the azulgrana board is not willing to sacrifice any of its referents with the aim of signing another 'crack'.

Barça's options to go for Julián Álvarez or another '9'

Julián Álvarez celebrating a goal with Atlético de Madrid

At least not this year, where the club must also resolve the return to the 1:1 rule before June 30. Without financial 'Fair Play', it will be much more difficult to aspire to a 'top' reinforcement in the short term.

Along with Álvarez, the azulgrana board is also attentive to the future of Viktor Gyökeres, although the Swede seems to be leaning towards an offer from Manchester United. Joan Laporta still dreams of the arrival of Erling Haaland in 2026, an operation that would require a much higher expense than the eventual signing of Julián.

In any case, Barça does not foresee a signing of such magnitude this year. Lewandowski is guaranteed one more season at the club and his level in 24-25 (40 goals in 45 matches) gives plenty of reasons to trust his scoring ability.

Likewise, the squad has the scoring production of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, three footballers whose continuity is also assured in the medium term. Therefore, the most likely thing is that the club will rule out going for Julián Álvarez next summer. In 2025, the situation will be very different.

How would the signing of Julián Álvarez impact Flick's Barça?

According to the most recent valuations of LaLiga EA Sports, Álvarez stands out for his pace (85), acceleration (86), shooting (84), shooting power (88), dribbling (85), agility (87), stamina (85) and aggressiveness (86), in addition to a remarkable capacity for passing and vision of the game. 

This combination of attributes makes him a versatile striker, capable of associating with Barça's creative interiors and taking advantage of the spaces generated by wingers like Lamine Yamal.

Therefore, if Julián Álvarez signed for Hansi Flick's Barça, his impact would be immediate and profound:

• He would bring mobility, goals, pressure and association, fitting perfectly into Flick's system.
• He would be the ideal striker to lead the generational transition and increase the club's offensive lethality.
• His mobility and pressure fit with the philosophy of high pressure and rapid recovery of the culé team.
• He can alternate between being an offensive reference and a second striker, allowing tactical flexibility and facilitating the transition between different schemes.
• His finishing ability and his instinct for goal would be an ideal complement to the generation of opportunities that characterizes Flick's game of possession and width.

This signing, however, depends on the economic viability of Barcelona, since the current clause (150 million euros) is an impossible amount for the azulgrana finances.