Barcelona ‘Promise’ Julian Alvarez They Will Return for Him in January

Barcelona spent all of the summer transfer window chasing Julian Alvarez, but couldn't land him after Atletico Madrid refused to sell their star striker to a direct rival.

With no deal possible, Barcelona turned to Gabriel Jesus as a short term fix for Hansi Flick's lack of a natural striker. But their interest in Alvarez hasn't gone away. According to a report from Barca News Network, the plan is to go back in for the Argentina international in 2027.

El Chiringuito's Jota Jordi says Barcelona have already made that promise to Alvarez and his camp, speaking on the show via Sport.

"Julián is committed to being professional for himself. If someone is trying to sell that Julián is from Atlético just like Cholo, that he is happy and that he is very keen, you are wrong. I can assure you that Julián is looking forward to the 1st of January (transfer window re-opens) and talking about what needs to be talked about again," Jordi said.

"There is a promise from Barça directly to Julián that they will wait for him as long as it takes, and that from the 1st of January, they will go for him again. There is a promise from Barça to Julián that on the 1st of January, we will start again."

The problem for Barcelona is that Atletico look unlikely to change their position by the time the winter window opens. Alvarez has already been folded back into Diego Simeone's squad, which puts Atleti in a strong spot whenever Barcelona come knocking again.