Barcelona sporting director Deco has ruled out reopening talks for Julian Alvarez, closing the book on a summer pursuit that went nowhere for the Catalan club. Speaking to reporters at the Portugal Football Summit in Oeiras on Thursday, Deco made clear there would be no fresh approach for the Atletico Madrid striker in the mid-season window.
"Julian (Alvarez) is in the past; we have to look ahead, and we're happy. I hope he's doing well too, that he's helping his club," Deco said when asked whether Barcelona might revisit their interest.
Barcelona had spent the close season hunting for a new number nine after Robert Lewandowski left as a free agent for Major League Soccer, with Alvarez and Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez both high on their list. Deco confirmed the club had made a formal offer for Alvarez, but Atletico were never going to budge.
"The idea has always been to bring in a forward with good movement and the ability to link up with others, and Julian was one such player," Deco explained. "It hasn't been possible; we made an offer... the club has always said they wouldn't sell him, so we have to look for other solutions."
The saga turned public and pointed after Barcelona president Joan Laporta discussed the club's interest in Alvarez during the summer, prompting a sharp response from Atletico chief Miguel Angel Gil Marin. He accused Barcelona of dishonesty and insisted the Argentine would "never, ever" move to the Camp Nou.
Deco also confirmed Barcelona had looked at Lautaro Martinez, but that interest was short-lived once Inter made their stance clear. "At one point, amongst the strikers we were looking at, Lautaro was one of them," he said. "The moment the club told us he wasn't available, we didn't even try or discuss it any further."
Raphinha's Unplanned Reinvention
Barcelona did bring in Gabriel Jesus as a rotational forward option for Hansi Flick's squad, but the real answer to their number nine problem has come from within. Captain Raphinha has shifted from his usual role as a hybrid attacking midfielder and right winger into a central striking position, with dramatic results.
The Brazilian has scored 14 goals in eight matches this season, including 12 in seven LaLiga appearances, putting him top of the scoring charts ahead of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe.
"We are happy because we discovered a new face of Raphinha," Deco said. "But more important is that he's happy too. It is different for him, because sometimes he's not in contact with the ball all the time like he used to. He needs to be prepared to attack behind the defenders."
Deco admitted the club had not anticipated quite this level of output from the repositioned forward. "We expected that he could do well, but not at this level," he said.
