FC Barcelona have not given up. Not yet. The Catalan club remains locked in its pursuit of Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez, with sporting director Deco reportedly traveling to Madrid on Tuesday to advance talks, accompanied by his right-hand man Joao Amaral. Sources told Mundo Deportivo that a meeting with the Argentine's agent is imminent.

Player power the key

The Catalan club reportedly is aware that signing Álvarez from Atlético will be very difficult. But they are said to have faith that the player's own will can make a difference. The Argentine is expected to report back for Atlético preseason on August 10, and the Blaugrana are said to be watching like a hawk for movement on that front. They reportedly expect Álvarez to reiterate his desire to leave.

Still, even if Álvarez does make a move, Atlético can still say no. What's worse, the impasse becomes a risk for all parties the longer it goes on. Barcelona need to be able to fall back on a plan B if the deal falls through. The Madrid club need to find a replacement if he leaves. Álvarez himself will either stay in an awkward situation, or join preseason late for Barça. And all signs point to no quick resolution—if any comes at all.

Why Barça won't walk away

For the Catalans, the reason they are still in pursuit is twofold. One, Álvarez is their number one choice and both he and the club have worked on the signing too long to simply abandon it when the going gets tough. Two, other alternatives are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Even strikers from the second rung below the elite are going for a fortune.

That opens up the possibility that Barcelona could even refuse to sign anyone if the Álvarez deal isn't completed. However, that possibility evaporates if Ferran Torres is sold. That would mean Barcelona have neither of their top two strikers from last season—with Robert Lewandowski having already left for Chicago Fire—forcing them to sign at least one striker.

Alvarez's own stance

There is also growing pessimism within the Barca board about their chances of signing Álvarez, who has publicly resisted any suggestion of selling. Despite the 26-year-old telling ESPN during the World Cup that he wanted to leave, Atlético have held their ground.

Barca boss Hansi Flick addressed the striker situation at a press conference this week, ahead of the team flying back from a training camp at St George's Park in England: "I have complete confidence in (sporting director) Deco and we know we have to do something (about signing a new striker)."