Report: The defining week for Julian Alvarez and Barcelona as key meeting awaits

Report: The defining week for Julian Alvarez and Barcelona as key meeting awaits FC Barcelona have worked hard in recent days to shape next season’s squad. Important agreements have been reached on both arrivals and departures. Rodri and Joao Cancelo’s signings are now well advanced, while the club has brought in €50 million from Ferran Torres’ sale. Now it is the turn of Julian Alvarez, who has undoubtedly been at the centre of the transfer saga of the summer. This is the decisive week to determine whether he eventually arrives at Barcelona or whether the sporting department looks for another option in attack, reports MARCA . The La Liga champions are waiting to see what the Atletico Madrid striker does, with the next move now in his hands. Meeting with Gil Marin Alvarez set for key meeting with Gil Marin. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) A meeting between Alvarez and Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin is expected take place in the coming days , after being repeatedly delayed. During that meeting, the Argentine striker will try to unblock the situation and persuade Atletico to negotiate a transfer with Barcelona. The striker wants the Atleti CEO to honour the promise he says Gil Marin made to him: that he would be allowed to leave this summer if that was what he wanted. Time to activate Plan B? What is clear is that this week cannot pass without a decision being made for Barcelona. It is time either to negotiate a transfer, if possible, or to close the Alvarez file and move on to the next scenario. It is also worth noting that Atlético Madrid will play two home matches this week, against Malaga and Villarreal. The reaction of the Atletico supporters could become an important factor in how the situation develops. Other options If the Alvarez option is ultimately ruled out, Barcelona director Deco and manager Hansi Flick will have to decide who should lead the attack. One possibility is to go into the transfer market. Viktor Gyokeres is an alternative. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images) Several names have emerged in recent days, including Lautaro Martínez, Mikel Oyarzabal, Luis Suarez and Viktor Gyokeres. Barcelona has made no move for any of them while the Alvarez situation remains unresolved. Another possibility is that Barcelona ultimately decide not to sign a striker at all. Flick has several players within the squad who can operate as false nines. Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon can all play in that position. Meanwhile, the Catalans are also monitoring the development of young players such as Hamza Abdelkarim and Jesse Bisiwu, who have impressed during pre-season and shown an ability to score goals.