Sport newspaper revealed the latest developments regarding the future of Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez, and the possibility of his transfer to Barcelona during the current summer transfer window.
Alvarez wants to move to Barcelona this summer, while the Blaugrana made an offer to sign the Argentine international, which was rejected by Atletico Madrid.
Sport reported that Barcelona is in a real crisis due to not signing a pure striker yet, following Robert Lewandowski's departure to Chicago Fire.
It added that Barcelona's chances of turning to other options instead of Alvarez have diminished, after Bournemouth striker Ili Junior Kroupi was injured in recent days and will be sidelined for three to four months, the same injury suffered by Barca player Fermin Lopez.
It explained that Barcelona made two offers to sign Junior Kroupi, but Bournemouth's management held on to the player's services, making signing Alvarez more necessary than ever for the Blaugrana.
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It continued that Barcelona saw Junior Kroupi as the ideal striker for the team, as the player scored 13 goals last season, including five in his last eight matches with the English club, and his style of play suits coach Hans Flick, but the French striker's injury and the possibility of his return in October or November made him out of the Blaugrana's calculations.
The newspaper continued, saying that Bournemouth also refused to sell Junior Kroupi to Arsenal, and with the chances of signing the young French striker shrinking, Barcelona's signing of Julian Alvarez has become necessary.
Sport went on to explain that Alvarez took the first step and announced during his participation in the World Cup with the Argentina national team his desire to leave Atletico Madrid, which rejected an offer worth 100 million euros from Barcelona, even though the Spanish capital club had promised to negotiate if a serious offer came from the Blaugrana.
The newspaper continued, saying that Julian Alvarez's transfer to Barcelona is not easy and is not in the player's favor, as the Argentine international is linked to Atletico Madrid until 2031 and has a release clause worth 500 million euros, and the player is expected to return to training with the Rojiblancos on August 10.
It explained that Barcelona is now throwing the ball into Alvarez's court, and he will have to take the next step if he wants to achieve his dream and move to Camp Nou and follow in the footsteps of his idol Lionel Messi.
Barcelona decided not to make another offer to Atletico Madrid until Alvarez takes the step himself and pushes for a move to the Blaugrana, and now completing the deal is considered risky, with time running out and no alternative options amid Kroupi's injury.
