Barcelona chiefs descend on Madrid ahead of decisive talks

Barcelona have not given up on their pursuit of Julián Álvarez, and the club has now sent its most senior transfer figures to the Spanish capital in a last-ditch bid to land the Atlético Madrid striker before the window slams shut.

Several leading members of the Blaugrana boardroom were spotted in Madrid late on Tuesday evening, with sporting director Deco and João Amaral understood to be spearheading the trip. According to a report from Jijantes: "Deco and João Amaral are in Madrid: last attempt to sign Julián Álvarez. In the coming hours, a summit with Fernando Hidalgo, the Argentine's agent."

Meeting with the agent to define the strategy

As per Gerard Romero of Jijantes, Deco's late-night trip to Madrid is designed to map out the final approach between Barcelona and Álvarez's camp, with the meeting serving to define the strategy between the two parties to finally convince Atlético to negotiate.

The Catalan giants are prepared to sweeten their initial €100 million offer for the 26-year-old, having already seen one big-money proposal knocked back this summer by the Metropolitano hierarchy. To date, Atlético have refused to budge from their stance that their star frontman is simply not for sale, but Joan Laporta and the Barça leadership have evidently not abandoned hope just yet.

Álvarez pushing for the Camp Nou move

Crucially, Barcelona are banking on the player himself to help force the issue. Álvarez submitted a public transfer request six weeks ago and has informed the Colchoneros on multiple occasions that he wants to join the Catalans. The club is now counting on the Argentine to make another public gesture to increase the pressure on Atlético in the final hours of the window.

Flick's priority target to succeed Lewandowski

Álvarez has long been identified as Barça's priority target to replace Robert Lewandowski as the attacking spearhead in Hansi Flick's squad. Boasting technical quality, an eye for goal and an exemplary attitude on the pitch, the World Cup winner is considered the ideal fit for the all-action setup of the German tactician.

Flick reiterated on Monday that he would like Barcelona to sign a striker and made clear his trust in the man now leading the charge in Madrid, expressing "complete confidence" in Deco to get a deal over the line. Whether that confidence can break Atlético's resistance will become clear in the coming hours — with time rapidly running out on what would be the Blaugrana's dream signing of the summer.