Barcelona turn to Rodri as €100m Julian Alvarez deal slips away

Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez is now considered practically impossible, with the club’s progress in negotiations for Manchester City midfielder Rodri raising questions over whether financial restrictions have forced them to choose between the two transfers.

Alvarez had been Barcelona’s leading target this summer as the La Liga champions planned for the expected departure of Poland striker Robert Lewandowski. The Catalan club made an opening offer worth €100m for the Atletico de Madrid forward, but that proposal was firmly rejected by Atletico, who have continued to insist that they want to keep the 26-year-old.

According to journalist Matteo Moretto, speaking on Marca radio, Barcelona now regard a deal for Alvarez as both effectively impossible and financially unviable after failing throughout the summer to soften Atletico’s position.

Barcelona have made extensive efforts to persuade both the player and his club. Sporting director Deco travelled to Madrid this week to meet Fernando Hidalgo, the Argentina international’s agent, in an attempt to make progress on the proposed move.

There have also been reports that Alvarez could reaffirm his desire to leave when he returns to training next week, potentially increasing the pressure on Atletico. Despite those efforts, however, the Madrid club have shown no willingness to compromise.

That stance appears to have prompted Barcelona to accept that the transfer is highly unlikely to happen. The timing has coincided with an acceleration in the club’s attempts to sign Rodri, creating speculation within Camp Nou over whether Barcelona have concluded that they cannot finance both deals under Financial Fair Play restrictions.

A move for Rodri alone could cost the club more than €80m, in addition to a substantial salary. Combining that agreement with a transfer for Alvarez, whose fee would exceed €100m, may therefore be beyond Barcelona’s realistic spending limits this summer.

The club’s sporting department, led by Deco, now appears to have prioritised strengthening midfield with a player of Rodri’s calibre rather than securing a new centre-forward. Barcelona are understood to believe there are less expensive attacking options available in the market.

With the club stepping back from the Alvarez race, it has begun to investigate alternatives. Several potential targets, though, are becoming less attainable.

Joao Pedro is reportedly close to extending his contract with Chelsea, while Elye Junior Kroupi is expected to be out for several months because of injury. Fisnik Asllani, meanwhile, is nearing a move to RB Leipzig.

Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic remains one of the most prominent names under consideration. He is available after leaving Juventus and is waiting for an offer from Barcelona, although Turkish club Besiktas are also competing for his signature.

Barcelona have also been offered the opportunity to sign Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen.

The club’s decision leaves an important question unanswered: was Rodri the real reason Barcelona abandoned their pursuit of Alvarez, or did Atletico’s refusal to negotiate ultimately kill the deal?

The coming days should provide a clearer indication of whether Barcelona have sacrificed their preferred attacking target to secure a midfield leader, or whether the Alvarez transfer simply became impossible because of Atletico’s uncompromising position.