Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has directly contacted Julián Álvarez during the World Cup, messaging the Atlético Madrid forward to express the club’s commitment to securing his signature this summer, according to reports from Barca Blaugranes citing Marca’s Pedro Morata.
The messages, reportedly sent via WhatsApp, saw Flick urge Álvarez to remain patient while Barcelona work to overcome Atlético Madrid’s resistance to a sale. Flick is quoted as telling Álvarez to “Trust in us. We’re going to be there fighting for your signing as far as we can,” signalling a high level of intent from the Catalan club.
This personal intervention from Flick underscores the importance of Álvarez to Barcelona’s plans following the departure of Robert Lewandowski. The Argentine international has emerged as the club’s primary transfer target as they seek to bolster their attacking options, and Flick’s direct approach suggests he views Álvarez as a key component of his tactical setup.
Atlético Madrid have publicly stated their unwillingness to sell Álvarez, particularly to a direct La Liga competitor. Despite this firm stance, Barcelona are continuing their pursuit, though reports have surfaced questioning the propriety of their contact with Álvarez’s representatives. Álvarez himself has expressed a desire to leave the Spanish capital during the World Cup, and is believed to favour a move to Barcelona over other interested clubs.
Álvarez is currently focused on Argentina’s World Cup campaign, preparing for their semi-final clash with Switzerland. Barcelona are expected to submit a formal offer for the forward once the tournament concludes. The success of that bid will likely depend on Atlético’s response and whether Álvarez submits a formal transfer request, but Flick has already made his intentions clear to the player.
Álvarez joined Atlético Madrid in 2022 from River Plate, quickly establishing himself as a key player for Diego Simeone’s side. His performances have attracted attention from several top European clubs, and his current form for Argentina at the World Cup has further enhanced his reputation.
