Barcelona not ruling out delaying striker signing until January window as Alvarez move stalls

Barcelona not ruling out delaying striker signing until January window as Alvarez move stalls FC Barcelona are still missing the final piece to complete their transfer planning for the season. After the arrivals of Rodri and Joao Cancelo, the sporting department will focus on signing a centre-forward and, most likely, adding another left-footed centre-back to complete what could be an outstanding squad. The La Liga champions continue to insist on Julian Alvarez, but nobody is hiding the fact that time is running out and there has been no significant progress in the deal. In fact, part of the board now favours putting the matter to rest this week so the club can use the final ten days of the window to find a No. 9 who has broad internal support. Waiting till January an option Now, according to SPORT , the idea is still to sign a striker, but Barcelona are no longer ruling out waiting until the January transfer window if necessary. Part of the transfer budget will be kept available for that window. Barça have always worked with Alvarez as their main target. The operation began taking shape in February, when the player gave his full approval to joining the club. The Catalans made no official moves until it was certain that Robert Lewandowski would leave, but Atletico Madrid’s position then became increasingly inflexible. Alvarez remains the ideal target. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) The information Barça received from the player’s camp well before the end of last season was that Atletico would allow the Argentine to leave for a fee of around €120 million. In the end, that has not happened. Barça have never wanted to abandon the striker. First, because there was a commitment with the striker, and second, because both Hansi Flick and Deco considered him the best option available on the market to strengthen the attack. Alvarez developments still possible Alvarez generated total consensus within the club, both sporting-wise and financially. The player has also tried to make the move happen, but unless there is an unexpected twist, it will now be very difficult for him to leave Atletico Madrid. There are still a few cards to play. Alvarez wants to speak with Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin to ask to leave. There could also be another factor: the reaction of Atlético’s supporters. Aware of that possibility, both Diego Simeone and Atlético’s executives would prefer to keep him out of the team until the transfer window closes, given the potential consequences. Barcelona have alternatives ready Alternatives have been lined up. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) If none of this changes the situation, Barça will begin advancing the alternatives already on their list . There are established European players who would like to come and could push for a move during the final days of the window, as well as interesting younger options. The key is that there must be complete consensus over the signing and that the club doesn’t pay an inflated price simply because of the timing of the market. If no clear option emerges, Barça will keep the January window as a fallback. By then, the situation surrounding Alvarez and Atletico could look very different, while several strikers will be only months away from the end of their contracts. At Barcelona, there is confidence that there are enough attacking options to build a formidable starting XI even without signing a centre-forward.