The gesture of Julián Álvarez that Barça was waiting for so much: "I think the best for everyone is a transfer"

BarcelonaArgentina has beaten Austria (2-0) and secured their ticket to the round of 16 of the World Cup. Leo Messi has surpassed Germany's Miroslav Klose and has become the all-time top scorer in World Cups with 18 goals. But all of this has been overshadowed by the strong statements made by Julián Álvarez in the mixed zone in Dallas. The Atlético de Madrid forward wants to change scenery after two seasons under Diego Pablo Simeone. Having turned 26 in January, he believes his career needs a new boost, with Barça as his favorite future option.

The Blaugrana club, which has been in contact with Julián's camp for weeks to sign him, was hoping for a gesture from the player that would publicly demonstrate his intentions. “It's not the time to talk about this, but I can't hide either. I've spoken with the club's people [Atlético de Madrid] and I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfill my dream,” declared the Albiceleste forward, who came on in the second half against Austria and was not inspired in front of goal.

With these statements, Julián passes the ball to Atlético's court, which for the moment is stubbornly refusing to negotiate the departure of its best footballer. The Mattress club did not accept Florentino Pérez's 150 million euros – which seemed a clear maneuver to inflate the price of the product – and demanded a release clause for all clubs that wanted to acquire the services of the Argentine, amounting to 500 million euros. On the other hand, according to SER, from the Metropolitano they are studying reporting Barça to FIFA for maintaining repeated contact with a footballer who has a contract in force, something they already did years ago when the Catalan entity tried to sign Antoine Griezmann.

Be that as it may, Julián Álvarez's words change the landscape. Atlético de Madrid will have to decide whether to lower their demands or accept keeping a footballer who has publicly declared he wants to leave. Meanwhile, Barça waits on the other side of the negotiation to make the right move to strengthen a forward line where they have already incorporated Anthony Gordon. Arsenal and PSG are two more clubs interested in Julián. The two finalists of the last Champions League are two plausible destinations for the Argentinian, who prefers to continue in La Liga and play alongside Lamine Yamal and Pedri. But he is not the only one who holds all the cards.

In fact, the reaction of the Madrid club, which a few weeks ago trolled Barça on social media, has become serious. Sources close to the Mattress Makers cited by the newspaper As assure that "there is no amount for which Barça can buy Julián, only the clause". The same information points to the Barça entity as a "tricky club". The summer soap opera in the transfer market has already begun.