Barcelona waiting on Julian Alvarez to make the next move as La Liga champions stand by transfer deadline

Laporta sets the clock ticking

Laporta has turned up the heat on Alvarez, confirming that the club's interest in the Argentine forward

According to

Atletico remain firm on sale stance

On the other side of the divide, Atletico have shown no signs of buckling under the pressure from Catalonia. The hierarchy at the Metropolitano has consistently maintained that

Miguel Angel Gil Marin, the CEO of Atletico, has been particularly vocal in his criticism of the Catalan club's tactics, saying: “I know enough about the rival club’s inner circle to realise that they act in front of the media and the fans as part of their own private circus, so it doesn’t offend me.”

“I have a good personal relationship with their chairman, and I explicitly asked him to desist, making it clear that Julián is not for sale."

Meanwhile, president

The ball in Julian’s court

With both clubs entrenched in their respective positions, the focus has shifted entirely back to Alvarez himself. The striker has already dropped hints about his future during the World Cup, stating his desire for a transfer to fulfill "his dream," but he has remained largely silent since the tournament ended to avoid further controversy.

Barcelona are convinced that a formal request from the player is the only thing that can break the current deadlock. Without direct pressure from Alvarez, any hope of a negotiation between the two clubs is viewed as a pipe dream.

Decisive days for Deco’s planning

As the July deadline approaches, the tension is palpable for all parties involved in this high-stakes transfer battle. Barcelona’s sporting department requires certainty to either move forward with Alvarez or pivot to their "exciting" alternatives. Deco is keen to have the squad settled before the competitive action begins, and the ticking clock is now his biggest enemy. Everything now points toward a tense return to Madrid once Alvarez completes his post-World Cup holiday.