As we slowly approach the summer transfer window, Barcelona have their task cut out as they look to sign a new forward for the season ahead.

The club are looking to move on from Robert Lewandowski, even though he has been given a renewal offer. Julian Alvarez has emerged as the top candidate to replace the veteran Pole in the years to come.

Barcelona have been tracking the Argentine international for quite some time now, but they have yet to reach a breakthrough with Atletico Madrid.

English journalist Ben Jacobs has offered a fresh update on the future of Julian Alvarez, confirming that the Atletico Madrid forward remains Barcelona’s priority target for the summer.

However, Atletico Madrid have no plans to make things easy for Barça. The Spanish giants will particularly look to price Barcelona out of the race.

Julian Alvarez remains Barcelona’s top target. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

That is because Los Colchoneros, eager to keep Alvarez, are currently valuing the Argentine higher than they had valued Antoine Griezmann back in 2019.

Griezmann was at the peak of his powers at the time and made the switch to Barcelona for a whopping figure of €120 million.

The deal later caused a myriad of financial problems for Barcelona, with Griezmann eventually returning to Atletico Madrid for just €22 million.

Nevertheless, Atleti’s valuation for Julian Alvarez contrasts with earlier reports that suggest Barcelona are confident of sealing the forward’s services for a figure of around €100 million.

A lot could depend on how the Catalans negotiate the deal. Jacobs adds that Deco has already had multiple meetings with the player’s camp, but the two sides are yet to reach a breakthrough.