Overview
- Barcelona sporting director Deco travelled to Madrid on Wednesday to meet Álvarez’s agent as the club prepares to improve an initial offer that was reported near €100 million.
- Atlético have publicly refused to sell Álvarez to a direct rival and insist the player can only leave if his roughly €490–500 million release clause is met.
- Álvarez plans to return for Atlético’s pre-season around August 10 and intends to tell coach Diego Simeone and the club’s executives in person that he wants to move to Barcelona.
- Direct club-to-club talks have largely collapsed so Barcelona are maintaining contact through the player’s camp and have an advanced Plan B ready if Atlético do not negotiate.
- Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain remain on standby with Arsenal widely reported as the most viable alternative because they have better lines of communication with Atlético, a development that could force Barcelona to pivot their summer transfer plans.