Julián Álvarez, the star of a decisive week for Barça

BarcelonaA decisive week begins for the composition of the Barça 2026-2027 squad. Many open folders in the office of the culé sporting director, Anderson Luis de Souza, Deco. Among all of them, two stand out in the form of arrivals, Rodri Hernández and Julián Álvarez. If the signing of the Madrid midfielder, made in a lightning move by Real Madrid, is awaiting an agreement with Manchester City, who understand the player's desire to leave, the operation to recruit the Atlético de Madrid forward is much greener. Barça has already verbally agreed the terms of a five-season contract with Julián, but has repeatedly encountered the mattress club's refusal to sell him. "We will not accept 100, nor 150, nor 200 million for him," sentenced the club's CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil, a few weeks ago in this regard.

Despite this very firm stance, even reinforced by a federative complaint from Atlètic de Madrid against Barça for alleged interference in an ongoing contract, the Albiceleste forward still believes he can force his departure through a sincere conversation with Diego Pablo Simeone, his coach. The meeting has not taken place and will not take place until at least this Wednesday, the date on which both will meet again on the training grounds after the squad has returned from a pre-season trip to South Korea. What has been officially confirmed is that Julián has already undergone his medical examination this Monday morning with Álex Baena and Marcos Llorente, two World Cup players who, like him, have already exhausted their holidays.

Barça expects the Argentine, who has a contract until 2030 and a release clause of 500 million, to put further personal pressure so that Atlètic de Madrid agrees to negotiate a transfer. In the mixed zone after a World Cup match, Julián explicitly asked for "a transfer" to "fulfill a dream." He did not speak directly in Barça terms, but it was understood. For their part, the Barcelona club made an offer of 100 million at the beginning of the summer which was rejected, as was another proposal from Real Madrid for 150 million. The Barça president, Joan Laporta, has stated several times that this proposal has a specific validity period, but for now it remains an open negotiation route because Julián is the chosen footballer to replace Robert Lewandowski in the attack for Hansi Flick's team.

Serious injury to Roony Bardghji

Besides the saga to incorporate the Argentine striker, Barça is awaiting more operations. The most imminent in terms of officialization is that of Ronald Araujo, who will go on loan to Liverpool and will completely free up one of the most important wages on the salary scale. More will have to be waited for the agreement with City for Rodri to crystallize after a first rejected offer of 45 million fixed plus variables; the English were asking between 70 and 80 from Real Madrid. The best player of the World Cup winning Spain decided a few days ago to stop dreaming in white to do so in blaugrana.

For their part, Ferran Torres, who is expected to return to training this Wednesday, wants to go to Paris Saint-Germain. Deco is asking for a minimum of 50 million euros, but the Franco-Qatari club, which knows that the Valencian's contract ends next summer, does not want to reach it. Barça is aware of the interest, as well as Ferran's desire to pack his bags, but is still waiting for a formal offer. Another departure that was in the making was that of Roony Bardghji. The club decided to leave him out of the friendly in Udine on Saturday for fear of injury, and in training this Monday he has torn the anterior cruciate ligament of his knee, as ARA has been able to confirm. Pending an official statement, the injury will require surgical intervention and will cause the plans for a loan or transfer with the Swede to go up in smoke.

Other departures that need to be unlocked are those of Marc Casadó and Héctor Fort. Finally, Barça is also very much awaiting the definitive return of João Cancelo from Saudi Al-Hilal, who is precisely one of those who have Casadó on their radar. The Portuguese could cost between 10 and 15 million. The club has considered the operation done for weeks.