Deco flies to Madrid to keep Barcelona's stalled £85m Álvarez pursuit alive

Barcelona have not abandoned their pursuit of Julián Álvarez, but the path to a deal remains blocked. Sporting director Deco travelled to Madrid to meet the forward’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, in what sources described as an attempt to keep the operation alive amid a complete breakdown in direct communication between the two clubs.

The meeting, reported by Sport and Gerard Romero of Jijantes, was attended by Deco and Joao Amaral. Romero described it as a last-ditch effort to preserve the viability of a deal that Barcelona consider their primary transfer target. The summit produced no immediate breakthrough, and those inside the club are said to be wary of projecting false optimism.

The fundamental obstacle has not changed. Atlético Madrid have rejected Barcelona’s initial offer of €100 million and have made clear they will not sell. According to Jijantes, Barcelona are prepared to improve that figure if Atlético show any willingness to engage, but no such signal has emerged. Reports suggest Atlético’s executive leadership believe Barcelona and Real Madrid are attempting to humiliate the club, a perception that has deepened the impasse.

With direct club-to-club contact effectively closed, Barcelona have shifted their strategy towards maintaining a line through Álvarez’s representatives. The purpose of Deco’s visit was to ensure the club remains positioned to move quickly if Atlético’s stance softens.

Álvarez’s own position adds a layer of complexity. The Argentine made a public transfer request six weeks ago, and sources close to the player have suggested he believes Atlético president Miguel Ángel Gil Marín broke a prior promise to allow him to leave if he wished. That allegation remains unverified, but it helps explain why the player’s camp has stayed engaged despite the club’s public stance.

The 26-year-old scored 20 goals in the 2025-26 season and has 49 in 106 appearances for Atlético since joining from Manchester City. His contract runs until 2030, meaning any formal move requires Atlético’s full cooperation.

Despite his desire to leave, Álvarez is not expected to force the issue through disruptive means. Reporting indicates he will not breach his contract or stage a public rebellion against Diego Simeone, and is expected to remain professional regardless of how the situation develops.