Barcelona sporting director Deco has revealed that the club’s summer recruitment strategy changed after Atlético Madrid refused to negotiate the sale of Julián Álvarez.
Barcelona’s preferred profile was a mobile centre-forward capable of linking play and operating across the attack. Álvarez was one of the players who fitted that description, but Atlético repeatedly insisted that the Argentina international was not for sale.
“We made an offer, but the club always said they wouldn’t sell him, so we had to look for other solutions,” Deco said at the Portugal Football Summit. “Julián is in the past. We have to look ahead, and we’re happy.”
The alternative was Gabriel Jesus, who joined Barcelona from Arsenal on deadline day in a deal worth an initial €10 million. The Brazilian signed a contract until June 2029, giving Hansi Flick another mobile attacking option rather than a traditional fixed centre-forward.
Deco said Jesus was not part of Barcelona’s original plans but became the ideal solution once the Álvarez move proved impossible.
“We didn’t know his situation, as there was a lot of talk about the possibility of renewing his contract with Arsenal,” Deco said. “When we decided that signing Julián had become impossible, we started looking for solutions, and Jesus was the ideal option for us.”
Barcelona’s decision was also influenced by Raphinha’s emergence as a central forward. The Brazilian has been used as a No. 9 by Flick and has made an impressive start to the season, reducing the immediate pressure to sign another high-profile striker.
Deco also confirmed that Barcelona had considered Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez during their search for an attacking reinforcement. However, the club ended its interest as soon as Inter made clear that Martínez was not available.
“Lautaro was one of the players we liked, but when Inter told us he wasn’t for sale, we respected that and didn’t speak any further with the player or his agent,” Deco said.
For now, Barcelona have no intention of reviving the Álvarez pursuit. The striker remains at Atlético Madrid, while Jesus, Raphinha and Barcelona’s wider attacking group form the basis of the club’s current plans.
