Barcelona have made Julian Alvarez their sole attacking priority, but the Argentina forward’s future could be decided after one final round of talks with Atletico de Madrid next weekend.

The Catalan club is preparing for a decisive meeting with Alvarez’s representatives as it attempts to end the uncertainty surrounding what has become one of the summer’s most complicated transfer situations.

According to Sport, Barcelona are working discreetly and are disregarding speculation linking them with alternative strikers. The club’s sporting department has gathered information on other possible targets as a precaution, but its strategy remains unchanged: Julian Alvarez is still the preferred option.

Manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco are both fully committed to the deal, despite recognising that time is running short and tensions within the club are increasing. Barcelona’s intention is to assess the situation with the player’s agents at the end of next week before deciding whether to push ahead with the transfer or abandon the pursuit and activate another plan.

Both Alvarez and Barcelona remain convinced that an agreement can still be reached. The striker’s absence from Atletico Madrid’s friendly against Olympique Marseille was not viewed as an act of defiance, but as a fitness-related decision. None of the club’s returning international players took part in training on Monday because they were not yet fully fit.

The more significant indication of Alvarez’s position may come on 19 August, when Atletico Madrid host Malaga. Diego Simeone is expected to want his main players available for that match, and Alvarez’s involvement could provide the first public sign of how the dispute is developing.

Alvarez made his position clear during a direct conversation with Simeone last Wednesday, telling the Atletico manager that he does not want to continue at the club.

Simeone may still decide to include the forward in his squad, but Alvarez has reportedly stressed that he currently lacks the mental readiness to wear the Atletico shirt. The Argentina international remains determined to fulfil what he regards as a long-held ambition to play for Barcelona and believes an opportunity of this kind may not come again.

Before the match against Malaga, Alvarez is expected to continue pressing Atletico’s hierarchy. He hopes eventually to meet chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin and explain his position directly.

The player’s account is that Gil Marin personally promised to allow him to leave this summer if a suitable offer arrived for all parties. Alvarez and his agent believe that promise has now been withdrawn and are seeking an explanation, having begun serious discussions with Barcelona on the basis of the original undertaking.

Sport reports that Barcelona have so far offered the player their full support and continued to treat him with respect. Their confidence stems from the belief that Alvarez is the ideal addition to strengthen Flick’s attack.

However, the club’s patience is not unlimited. Barcelona do not want to enter the final week of the transfer window without having secured a striker, particularly because Atletico could then be free to end negotiations and close the door permanently.

For that reason, Barcelona’s sporting department has requested details of other forwards who could be signed quickly if required. No move will be made without Flick’s approval, and the alternative options have not yet been formally activated.

The message from Barcelona remains clear: Julian Alvarez comes first. But the club now has only a short period left to determine whether the deal can become reality.