Barcelona switch focus to Gabriel Jesus as Julian Alvarez deal is deferred

Barcelona are close to completing a €10m deal for Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus after the move received the approval of head coach Hansi Flick, but the Catalan club have decided to postpone their pursuit of Atletico de Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.

Jesus’ expected arrival would give Barcelona a recognised centre-forward for their opening Champions League match against Feyenoord. The club have been seeking reinforcements in that position following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

The agreement for Gabriel Jesus is understood to have progressed quickly, with Barcelona now nearing a deal worth €10m. His signing would provide Flick with the specialist striker the squad has been lacking and is expected to address what the club considers one of its most pressing needs.

However, according to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona do not regard the move for Jesus as the end of their interest in Alvarez.

The club have spent several weeks exploring the possibility of signing the Argentina international from Atletico de Madrid. Barcelona accept that Atletico’s current stance makes it impossible to complete the transfer before the end of the present window, and have therefore chosen to delay their efforts rather than abandon them.

Barcelona are expected to revisit the situation when the January transfer window opens. They believe the circumstances could look significantly different by then and have decided not to increase the pressure on Atletico during the final stage of the current market.

That decision represents a pause, rather than a permanent withdrawal, from the Alvarez operation. The 24-year-old remains a priority target for Barcelona’s sporting project, with the club keen to keep the possibility of a future agreement alive.

Barcelona believe four months could alter the situation considerably. Atletico’s sporting position, Alvarez’s relationship with the club’s supporters and, above all, the player’s own wishes are expected to influence whether the transfer can be reopened in January.

The Catalan side are also monitoring whether Atletico can maintain the firm resistance that has prevented negotiations from advancing. They consider the passage of time a potentially important factor, particularly if results, team circumstances or Alvarez’s position at the Madrid club change.

January is now viewed as the next significant opportunity to assess whether Atletico’s opposition remains impossible to overcome or whether a route can eventually be found for Barcelona to pursue their long-standing interest.

For the immediate future, Gabriel Jesus is set to become the club’s main attacking addition, while the Alvarez file remains open ahead of the winter window.