Barcelona delays striker renewal to September amid Alvarez setback

Barcelona announced it will postpone the renewal of its forward until September, choosing to focus on registering new signings first. The decision comes after a major blow to the club’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez, whose future was publicly affirmed by Atletico Madrid’s president and CEO. Atletico Madrid’s president and CEO declared earlier this week that Julian Alvarez will stay in Madrid next season, ending Barcelona’s dream of securing the Argentine striker. The club’s situation is further complicated by the departure of Robert Lewandowski, who is no longer at Barcelona, leaving a void in the attacking line. With Lewandowski gone, Ferran Torres is Barcelona’s only option to play as a number 9, and the Spaniard has also been linked with an exit to PSG. According to AS, Barcelona will postpone renewing Torres’ contract until September and will not rush into an extension, despite interest from Luis Enrique.

Barcelona’s chase collides with Atletico’s firm refusal over Julian Alvarez

The postponement is driven by a clause in Torres’ contract that would require Barcelona to pay Manchester City €7 million upon renewal and to increase his salary, a financial burden the club wishes to avoid now. Barcelona’s current financial priorities centre on accommodating new striker arrivals and ensuring the registration of Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon, making the Torres renewal less urgent. PSG are actively monitoring Torres’ situation, and the delay gives the French club leverage to negotiate a lower transfer fee, potentially using the player’s expiring deal as a bargaining chip. The club’s Play options remain limited without a confirmed centre‑forward, and the need to secure adequate striking options for next season is paramount. The photo credit to Tan highlights the media attention surrounding the saga, underscoring how closely the renewal and transfer issues are being followed.