Julian Alvarez is keeping the possibility of a move to Barcelona open after remaining at Atletico Madrid following the closure of the transfer window. The 26-year-old striker will wait until January to see whether a deal can be revived, with Barcelona estimating a gap of around €60 million under Financial Fair Play regulations.
The transfer window closed with Alvarez still under Diego Simeone’s orders. After several days marked by uncertainty over his future, the player returned to training with the squad and will continue competing in La Liga with Atletico Madrid until the transfer window reopens.
Remaining on the pitch did not necessarily mean that the deal was off. According to information revealed by journalist Jose Alvarez on El Chiringuito, Barcelona believes it could have around €60 million in Financial Fair Play funds available in January to try to move forward with the signing.
This figure does not represent a €60 million offer to Atletico, but rather the financial margin Barcelona would have available to pursue the transfer. The gap is significant because Alvarez is under contract with the Madrid club until 2030, meaning that any departure would also require an agreement between the two clubs.
The scenario being considered by the striker’s camp includes a possible change in Atletico Madrid’s stance over the next four months. Tensions between the parties are expected to rise again, with the club itself potentially opening negotiations in January.
Alvarez also carries considerable economic and sporting importance within the squad. The Argentine played 57 matches and scored 20 goals during the 2025/26 season, after scoring 29 goals in 54 appearances during his first campaign in Madrid. The main obstacle for Barcelona remains Atletico Madrid’s position. The Madrid club refused to facilitate his departure to Barcelona during the summer and managed to close the transfer window with the striker still in the squad.
The contractual situation favors Atletico. Julian Alvarez signed a contract until 2030 when he arrived from Manchester City, and there is no immediate pressure on Atletico to negotiate. His market value has also been estimated at around €120 million, a figure that makes any scenario involving a reduced transfer fee highly unlikely.
Simeone’s attack also changed before the transfer window closed. Atletico brought in Jonathan David on loan from Juventus with a €25 million purchase option, increasing their attacking options alongside Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth.
Another factor could come into play before January. According to information published on September 3, the striker is considering changing agents before the next transfer window opens. Such a decision would change the representatives responsible for managing his future.
Until then, Alvarez will have to continue competing for Atletico in La Liga. The next concrete opportunity to reopen negotiations will come in January 2027, when Barcelona will be able to assess its financial situation and, above all, determine whether Atletico’s stance on a potential transfer has changed.
