Barcelona double down on Julian Alvarez-or-nothing stance as deadline day approaches

With not long left until the summer transfer window slams shut, Barcelona have still not signed a new striker for Hansi Flick's squad.

The German manager has shown that he is more than happy to experiment and play with Raphinha as the number nine, while Hamza Abdelkarim also offers an option.

Having scoured the market for alternatives, it was revealed yesterday that Barça had made a firm decision to stick with Alvarez as their only striker option in the market.

Now, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg , Alvarez remains the priority until deadline day, and the club are prepared to sign nobody if the Argentine cannot be secured.

Barça have explored other forwards, but the sporting department has now doubled down on Alvarez as the only target considered worth a major late investment.

Hansi Flick is said to be completely behind the pursuit.

The Barcelona coach views Alvarez as the forward he wants to complete the attack, while Deco is continuing to push and has no intention of giving up before the market closes.

The alignment between the director and the coach matters a lot in a long-drawn transfer saga such as this one.

Barça appear united internally over Alvarez, which explains why they are prepared to wait rather than panic-buy an alternative.

The financial side of the deal is said to be in place.

Barcelona will sign Julian Alvarez or no one. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Joan Laporta has made the necessary funds available for Barcelona to complete the operation if Atletico Madrid finally agree to negotiate.

That means the biggest obstacle is no longer Barça 's willingness to spend. It is Atletico's stubborn decision not to negotiate with the Catalan club.

The Madrid club have consistently resisted the idea of selling Alvarez to Barcelona, despite the player's own preference and the growing tension around his situation.

Barça are willing to wait until the very end

Alvarez is having a very tough time at Atletico, where he has not looked his usual self and struggled to get going in the game against Villarreal .

He was booed intensely when his name was announced before the game and received a hostile reception when he was introduced during the match.

The relationship between the 26-year-old and the Atletico fans has been completely fractured, with seemingly no way back.

Laporta has publicly expressed interest in Alvarez. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed in an interview (h/t Fabrizio Romano ) that the club have information that Atletico are looking to sell the South American.

"We got the information that Atletico Madrid wants to sell the player," he said.

"It's clear that our offer remains valid until the end of the market."

However, even if Los Colchoneros make the decision to sell Alvarez this summer, there is no necessity for them to sell him to Barça .

The Catalans continue to push until the very end, but not much is going to change unless Los Colchoneros decide to relax their stance.

Barça have done what they can and assured the player that they will try to sign him until the very end of the window.

If they do not, the club appear prepared to walk away rather than settle for a second-choice striker, and it remains to be seen how that decision pans out.