Has Barcelona given up on signing Julian Alvarez?It seems that the Catalan club has changed its mind a little.Getty ImagesBarcelona’s pursuit of Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez has dramatically cooled, according to reports, placing a major question mark over a potential transfer. The Argentine, who joined Atlético in the summer of 2024 and swiftly became a pivotal figure for the club, is now the subject of significant doubt from the Catalan giants.The shift in stance reportedly followed Barcelona’s recent 2-1 victory over Atlético, where Álvarez’s performance failed to impress the watching decision-makers. Reporter Alfredo Martínez indicates that “the Catalan club is now unsure whether they should move ahead with the signing of the Argentine striker.” The club’s hierarchy has formed a specific conclusion from that match, believing “Álvarez is not worth the fee Atlético Madrid are demanding.”Probably just a coincidence, but Julian Alvarez had a VERY quiet Tuesday in Barcelona. 😅 pic.twitter.com/ULpT9Nyj5q— total Barça (@totalBarca) December 4, 2025This newfound hesitation comes directly on the heels of a formal approach from Barcelona. The club had “officially submitted a request to Atlético Madrid regarding a potential transfer for the 25-year-old Argentine forward.” However, the response from the Spanish capital was definitive and caught Barcelona off guard, as it “stunned the Catalan board,” effectively stalling negotiations before they could properly begin. The combination of a steep asking price and a less-than-convincing direct audition appears to have derailed what was once a serious interest.🚨 Journalist: “The other day, Barcelona posted a picture of Julián Álvarez and Lamine Yamal. What do you make of it?”Diego Simeone: “That they are stars under the spotlight.”Note: Barça’s caption was “Stars under the spotlight” pic.twitter.com/XUSjtik6m6— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) December 5, 2025