Barcelona are running out of patience in their pursuit of Julian Alvarez, with Mundo Deportivo and RAC1 both reporting the club have set the end of the 2026 World Cup on July 19 as their internal deadline for the operation. President Joan Laporta confirmed that Barcelona's offer is still on the table but was rejected by Atletico Madrid on the grounds that the Rojiblancos had no replacement striker lined up. Laporta was candid in admitting the club would not wait indefinitely, telling reporters Barcelona are content with their current squad if a deal cannot be reached.
Alvarez has already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract with Barcelona worth around €18.5 million per year, but the club-to-club negotiation remains deadlocked. Atletico are demanding their full €500 million release clause be triggered for any sale to a domestic rival, while Barcelona have capped their offer at €120 million. Lamine Yamal publicly backed the deal again today, telling Mundo Deportivo that Alvarez is exactly the kind of player everyone wants to play with. The next ten days will be decisive.