Barcelona are reportedly setting their sights on Manchester City’s Argentine forward, Julian Alvarez, who has been lauded by Lionel Messi as ‘extraordinary.’ The Catalan club, under the management of Hansi Flick, is keen to enhance their attacking options and sees Alvarez as a prime candidate for this role.
According to the Spanish outlet SPORT, Barcelona holds Alvarez in high regard due to his versatility, which aligns well with their sporting vision. The 24-year-old Argentine had an outstanding season with City, netting 19 goals and providing 13 assists in 54 appearances across all competitions.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is reportedly planning to pursue Alvarez as part of his re-election campaign. Previously, Laporta had promised to extend Messi’s contract, but financial difficulties led to Messi’s departure from the club. Now, bringing in Alvarez could be a strategic move to bolster Barcelona’s attack and appease fans.
Messi himself has praised Alvarez’s talents, especially after Argentina’s triumph in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Messi stated, “Nobody imagined Julian would have the participation and importance he has shown.
The help he has given us has been absolutely spectacular. During the whole World Cup, but also on Tuesday, he was extraordinary. He ran everything.”
In addition to Alvarez, Laporta is also interested in his City teammate, Erling Haaland. However, any potential move for Haaland is expected to be considered next year. Barcelona aims to respond to Real Madrid’s acquisition of Kylian Mbappe by strengthening their squad with top talents.
Alvarez has four years remaining on his contract with Manchester City, which means Barcelona would need to negotiate a deal to secure his transfer. The Argentine forward is valued at £80 million, and Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with interest in the World Cup winner.
The bond between Alvarez and Messi has strengthened while playing for Argentina. Alvarez was instrumental in helping Messi achieve his dream of winning the World Cup. The duo is currently competing in the Copa America in the United States, with Argentina starting the tournament with a 1-0 victory against Chile on June 26.
Ahead of the competition, Alvarez expressed his hope that Messi would continue playing for Argentina. Speaking to ESPN, the Barcelona target emphasized that the team is better with Messi in it and expressed his desire for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to resist retirement.
As Barcelona considers their options, the pursuit of Alvarez would signify a significant move to bolster their attacking prowess.
His impressive performance with Manchester City and the Argentine national team showcases his ability to contribute at the highest level. Moreover, Alvarez’s versatility would offer Barcelona tactical flexibility, aligning well with Hansi Flick’s strategies.
The potential addition of Alvarez to Barcelona’s roster would not only enhance their competitiveness but also signal a new era under Laporta’s leadership. With Real Madrid securing Mbappe, Barcelona’s pursuit of Alvarez and possibly Haaland next year indicates a strategic response to maintain their stature amongEurope’s elite clubs.
