“We are looking for a number nine. Deco has done a fantastic job, I have full confidence in him,” Hansi Flick told TV3 after the Gamper that his team won against Egyptian Al-Ahly (2-1). “We know there are two players, like Robert (Lewandowski) and Ferran (Torres), who have left. We can cover Ferran’s role with the new signings (Adeyemi and Gordon) but replacing Robert is very difficult, because he marked an era with us. We have internal solutions, but we will surely make some move,” Deco responded.
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In Barça’s offices, the priority remains Julián Álvarez because they consider there are few profiles that fit the associative number nine that Flick is looking for. But time is running out. There are 12 days left until the transfer market closes and three to conclude the week of margin that Barcelona had given itself waiting for movements around Julián.
Simeone, after the insults to the player from the stands, responded lukewarmly: “I am very respectful of our people”
They will wait until Monday, August 24.
Given the difficulty in signing Julián Álvarez, who remains the priority, Deco is combing the market again looking for available center forwards who can fill that spot. Lautaro Martínez (28) has been mentioned and, in that folder, the name of Nicolò Tresoldi (22), Brujas’ forward, also stands out.
On Deco’s list is Lautaro Martínez, who has been Inter Milan’s star for 8 years
But first Julián must be ruled out. The Argentine, who expressed on June 23 that the best option was a “transfer” to “fulfill his dream,” has faced a resounding no from the Atlético club, which publicly rejected Barcelona’s 100 million euro offer through statements by its CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, and through a complaint alleging that the Blaugrana club tried to sign Julián by forcing his exit for an amount below his release clause, set at 500 million, and following procedures they consider inappropriate with a player who has a contract until 2030. A baseless appeal that Barcelona gives little chance to.
Last night, the AtleticoPlay platform revealed that despite insisting the player was not for sale, the club would have been willing to transfer him to Arsenal, as also confirmed by La Vanguardia. The player has already expressed his rejection.
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A wearing strategy that adds to his non-call-up on Wednesday against Málaga. “Julián? Gil Marín spoke and clearly explained the situation and I can only refer to those words,” responded Mateu Alemany, the club’s sporting director, regarding his absence. Part of the stands also spoke out: “Julián Álvarez, son of a bitch,” was heard from the south end of the Metropolitano. When asked about that episode, Simeone’s response was surprising: “I am very respectful of our people.”
Julián, in a dead end, should already be called up to play against Villarreal this Sunday, also at the Metropolitano. But things can happen.
Lautaro Martínez, the alternative
Beyond Julián, Deco’s list includes Lautaro’s name. But the Argentine has been Inter Milan’s star for eight years. He has a contract until 2029 and there is no release clause. His market value is 85 million. In a third tier is Nicolò Tresoldi, top scorer last season in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, with 19 goals for Brujas. Other names, like Luis Suárez (28), Sporting Portugal’s player, have been offered to the sporting management through calls from their agents. But Barcelona does not consider him in their list of options. Yes to Julián. They will wait for him until Monday.
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