FC Barcelona targets Julián Álvarez and João Cancelo ahead of July 27 trip to England
Hansi Flick wants both deals wrapped up before pre-season kicks off, with Cancelo nearly done and Álvarez courted via WhatsApp
FC Barcelona is working to lock down two transfer signings before their squad boards a plane to England on July 27, with manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco zeroing in on Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez and Al-Hilal full-back João Cancelo as their top priorities.
The Cancelo deal is all but done
Of the two targets, Cancelo is the closer to completion. Barcelona has reportedly agreed to a deal worth approximately €10 million with Al-Hilal, a fee that includes both fixed and variable components. The agreement is structured as a two-year deal, with only the player’s formal signature standing between the Portuguese defender and a return to Camp Nou.
Cancelo previously spent time on loan at Barcelona, so this isn’t exactly a blind date. At this point, the transfer is described as a matter of timing rather than any lingering uncertainty about whether the deal will happen.
Álvarez is the bigger swing
Julián Álvarez is a different proposition entirely. The Argentine striker, currently at Atlético Madrid, carries an estimated transfer value around €100 million.
Álvarez is being positioned as the long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski. Barcelona has reportedly established personal terms with Álvarez, and the player himself is said to be keen on making the move. Flick has sent Álvarez a WhatsApp message that reads:
“Trust in us. We’re going to be there fighting for your signing as far as we can.”
Why the July 27 deadline matters
Flick’s insistence on completing these deals before the squad travels to England on July 27 reflects a pragmatic understanding of how modern football preparation works. For Cancelo, the integration risk is minimal, as he has been in Barcelona’s system before. For Álvarez, early arrival would be far more critical, as learning to complement or eventually replace a striker of Lewandowski’s caliber requires reps, not just talent.
The Cancelo deal, at €10 million, represents shrewd value shopping. The Álvarez pursuit, at roughly ten times that cost, represents a statement of intent.