Julian Alvarez has sensationally told pals he’s heading to Barcelona this summer, leaving Arsenal and Chelsea with a massive dilemma.
The Atletico Madrid hitman, valued at a staggering €120million, has been the talk of the transfer rumour mill for weeks. Now Argentine insider Hugo Balassone has dropped a bombshell on Radio La Red, claiming the 26 year old’s mind is made up.
“My information is that he’s going to play for Barcelona,” Balassone declared. “There was interest from Arsenal. His time at Atletico is over. He wants to go to a champion club.”
The journalist even teased fans with images of Alvarez lining up alongside Lamine Yamal, the kind of partnership that’d have Barca fans drooling.
But here’s the rub, the Catalans are skint. Proper skint.
THE MONEY PROBLEM
Barcelona are still operating under strict FFP limits and have been dealt a fresh blow with the Camp Nou renovation now set to cost a whopping €200-300m MORE than anticipated. That’s a bill they simply can’t dodge .
The signs are there for all to see, they’re even hesitating over triggering Marcus Rashford’s €30m buyout clause from Manchester United. If they’re sweating over that kind of money, how on earth are they finding €120m for Alvarez?
Reports from Catalunya Radio couldn’t be clearer, Barca simply aren’t in a position to pull off a deal of this magnitude . They’d need a fire sale of big names just to get back to 1:1 spending rules.
WHAT ATLETI ARE SAYING
Diego Simeone’s side are playing hardball. When Barca recently made an approach, Atleti officials didn’t mess about, they slapped a €200m price tag on the Argentine’s head . That’s Neymar territory.
Club president Enrique Cerezo has moved to kill the speculation dead, telling Egyptian broadcaster Win Win: “Julian is a player under contract with Atletico Madrid and he is happy. No one from Barca has officially contacted us about signing him, and that’s all there is to it” .
Word from Spain even suggests Alvarez is MORE likely to sign a new contract than leave this summer, with the club ready to hand him improved terms despite his recent goal drought .
THE PREMIER LEAGUE WILD CARD
Here’s where it gets interesting for Arsenal and Chelsea.
Alvarez might fancy Barca, but if the finances don’t stack up and all the evidence suggests they don’t, then the door swings wide open for a Premier League return.
The Gunners have been tracking him for months and have Viktor Gyokeres struggling to fire consistently at the Emirates. Chelsea are also in the mix, with the lure of linking up with Argentina mate Enzo Fernandez a tempting prospect .
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit reckons his old club have a real shot, telling Ignition Casino: “When Julian Alvarez was playing for City, I really liked him. He can score goals and give assists, but he’s got temper, personality, and character” .
THE STATS
Alvarez has bagged 41 goals in 91 games since his €75m move from Manchester City in 2024 . A World Cup winner with 49 caps for Argentina, he’s proven he can deliver on the biggest stage.
But his form has dipped recently, an 11 game goal drought only ended when he scored against Barca in the Copa del Rey semi final . That’s the kind of blip that’s got clubs asking questions.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Alvarez wants Barca. Barca want Alvarez. But wanting and affording are two very different things in the current climate.
If the Catalans can’t magic up the cash and fast, then Arsenal and Chelsea will be circling like sharks. The summer window is shaping up to be an absolute cracker.
