Laporta Halts Barcelona's 'Plan B' for a New Striker, Will Wait for Álvarez Until the Last Second

Barcelona will not sign a central striker just for the sake of making a transfer. The number 9 position has been a major summer priority, and the club will fight for Julián Álvarez's signature until the very last second of the transfer window. However, they will not lose their composure or make excessive investments in another player if Atlético Madrid remains steadfast in refusing negotiations for the Argentine, according to "Sport".

Despite only a few days remaining until the transfer window closes and much can still happen, Deco and Hansi Flick have agreed not to pursue alternative options to Julián Álvarez after analyzing all available choices. Proven strikers like Harry Kane or João Pedro are unattainable, while younger prospects (Nicolò Tresoldi, Ely Junior Kroupi, and others) are liked by the management but don't generate full consensus. Furthermore, these would require significant investment for players who wouldn't arrive as undisputed starters and would struggle to surpass the current squad members already capable of playing at the top of the attack.

President Laporta visited the Ciutat Esportiva training complex yesterday and took the opportunity to greet the Barça squad and meet with the sporting management to plan the final stretch of the transfer market. Among other matters, he approved the "Julián Álvarez or nothing" roadmap. The Blaugrana boss urged Deco to be patient regarding the Argentine and encouraged him to wait until the very end. During the four-hour meeting, Joan Laporta spoke out against signing a temporary "patch" just for the sake of bringing someone in.

The 5-0 victory against Elche has nothing to do with this decision, which couldn't be understood without blind faith in the current squad, but also without the lack of guaranteed top-level strikers available to the Catalan club. Raphinha showed at the Martínez Valero that he is capable of operating at the spearhead of the attack. Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi will also play there at some point. Dani Olmo, Fermín López, and Lamine Yamal could be other options. Julián Álvarez would elevate the team to the next level. The other players scouted would not.

As long as there's even the slightest chance of signing Álvarez, Barcelona will keep a spot open for him in the squad. The Metropolitano delivered its verdict last Sunday, and Atlético must make a decision if they want to resolve an issue that affects them both sportingly and institutionally. The Catalan club is prepared to improve their 100 million euro offer, which received no response from the 'Rojiblancos', although they will not do so until Gil Marín softens his stance and opens the door for transfer negotiations. The Argentine's will couldn't be clearer: he only wants to play at Camp Nou.

If Barcelona doesn't make a transfer now, Deco and Flick's plan is to wait until the winter market to analyze the situation and, depending on how the first months of the season have gone, make a decision. Calmness is preferred over making a wrong move and undertaking one of those risky operations that, if they don't go well, compromise the club's finances in the short and medium term.