Atletico Madrid superstar no longer a target for Barcelona – report

Atletico Madrid superstar no longer a target for Barcelona – report Most of Barcelona’s summer transfer window revolved around one major target that the sporting administration had marked in red – Julian Alvarez. With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres completing their cycles at the club, a new centre-forward was seen as the top priority and the Catalans viewed the Atletico Madrid star as their top option. As the summer progressed, however, relations with Atletico Madrid deteriorated and Los Rojiblancos made it a personal vendetta against Barcelona – refusing to sell the player to Catalonia at any cost. No longer a target As confirmed by Catalunya Radio in a recent update, Alvarez is no longer in Barcelona’s plans despite being their top target just weeks ago. No longer a target for Barcelona. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) The Blaugrana did indeed see him as the striker best-equipped to fit into Hansi Flick’s system, but the team has fared well without a striker and Alvarez not arriving has turned into a blessing in disguise. With Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez and Karim Adeyemi all chipping in with goals and even Gabriel Jesus serving as a good backup option so far, the need for a centre-forward is no longer the top requirement. Instead, it appears that the club have now changed their priorities. Come next summer, they could well pursue a top centre-back with more urgency, and Alvarez is no longer on the cards. Deco’s unofficial confirmation Deco hinted at the development earlier this week. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) The outlet only confirms the suspicion that Barcelona’s sporting director Deco created with his statement earlier this week. When addressing the media in a recent interaction, the sporting director’s words indicated that Alvarez’s time as a Barcelona target may be over, laying the foundation for the Spanish outlet’s confirmed claim. “The idea has always been to bring in a forward with good movement and the ability to link up with others, and Julian (Alvarez) was one such player.” “Julian (Alvarez) is in the past; we have to look ahead, and we’re happy. I hope he’s doing well too, that he’s helping his club, ” he added. While the club’s decision could indeed be in order to prioritise the defence, some word has arisen in recent days that Erling Haaland could emerge as a realistic target for the Blaugrana after the recent mess Manchester City have got themselves into. Only time, however, will tell which school of thought is right.