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, which understands 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 federal 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 happened and will not happen at least until this Wednesday, the date when both will meet again on the training grounds after the expedition has returned from a pre-season stay in South Korea. What has become known through official channels is that Julián has already passed his medical examination this Monday morning with Álex Baena and Marcos Llorente, two World Cup players who, like him, have already exhausted their vacations.

Barça hopes that the Argentine, who has a contract until 2030 and a release clause of 500 million, will once again pressure in person for Atlètic de Madrid to agree 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 terms of Barça, but he was understood. For their part, the Barça 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 channel because Julián is the chosen player to replace Robert Lewandowski in the attack of Hansi Flick's team.

More planned movements at Barça

Apart from the saga to incorporate the Argentine forward, Barça is awaiting more operations. The most imminent in terms of officiality is Ronald Araujo, who will go on loan to Liverpool and completely free up one of the most important wage bill slots. More will have to be waited for the agreement with City for Rodri to crystallize after a first rejected proposal of 45 million fixed plus variables; the English were asking between 70 and 80 for Real Madrid. The best player of the world champion Spain decided a few days ago to stop dreaming in white to do so in blaugrana.

For his part, Ferran Torres, who should 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. Other departures that need to be unblocked are those of Marc Casadó, Roony Bardghji and Héctor Fort. Finally, Barça is also very much awaiting the definitive return of João Cancelo from Saudi Al-Hilal, which is precisely one of those who have Casadó on their radar. The Portuguese could cost between 10 and 15 million.