Barcelona sets €120m ceiling for Julian Alvarez bid

Barcelona are preparing to step up their pursuit of Julian Alvarez, the Atletico Madrid striker, and are ready to improve their proposal. Carlos Monfort reported the club could raise its offer to €120 million in fixed payments, with bonuses that could bring the total to around €130 million. Atletico Madrid recently rejected Real Madrid's €150 million bid for Alvarez. Barcelona remain undeterred and have established a maximum figure they will not exceed. The club does not intend to enter an unlimited bidding war and wants to protect its overall transfer strategy. President Joan Laporta has directly engaged in talks with the striker’s representative Fernando Hidalgo. Hidalgo conveyed that Alvarez would not consider a move to Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu and would prefer Barcelona if he ever leaves Atletico Madrid. This message has strengthened Barcelona’s confidence in the negotiations. Julian Alvarez is the priority target to strengthen Hansi Flick’s attack, and the club aims to complete the deal within the set financial limit.