Pedri fuels barcelona’s pursuit of julian alvarez, intensifying psg transfer battle

The Paris Saint-Germain camp is reportedly revisiting their long-standing interest in Julian Alvarez, a pursuit first initiated two years prior to his move from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid. However, it now appears FC Barcelona might thwart PSG’s ambitions, much to the delight of their midfielder, Pedri.

The future of Julian Alvarez has dominated headlines since the summer transfer window officially commenced on June 15th, set to close on September 1st. The 26-year-old Argentine international is currently competing in his second World Cup with Argentina on the American continent. Despite being contractually bound to Atletico Madrid until 2030, the prolific forward has no intention of returning to the Spanish capital once the curtain falls on the 2026 World Cup.

«I believe a transfer is best for everyone»

On Monday, Argentina secured their spot in the 1/16 finals of the 2026 World Cup by defeating Austria 2-0. Following the match, in the mixed zone, Julian Alvarez openly communicated his desire for a new challenge, hinting strongly at a move to FC Barcelona. He stated, «This isn’t the moment to discuss it, but I also cannot hide; I strive to be an honest individual. I’ve spoken with the people at Atlético de Madrid, and I believe a transfer is what’s best for all parties involved. I aim to fulfill my dream.»

«I hope this transfer can materialize, and if so, then all the better»

This revelation undoubtedly serves as unwelcome news for PSG, who, as in the summer of 2024 before his transfer to Atletico Madrid, have consistently kept a close watch on the Rojiblancos’ striker. Moreover, FC Barcelona has already begun to roll out the red carpet for Julian Alvarez. This is evident from the recent comments made by Pedri during his interview with RTVE. «A transfer of Julian Alvarez to FC Barcelona? I think many elements would need to align for that to happen. I don’t wish to interfere with club matters or a player’s decisions. However, it’s true that I admire Julian as a player, and I’ve always expressed my desire for the finest talents to be at Barça. I truly hope this transfer can materialize, and if it does, then that would be fantastic.» The FC Barcelona midfielder has clearly ignited the competitive spark. The question now remains whether Paris Saint-Germain will make their move publicly or behind the scenes to tip the scales in their favor in the race to sign Alvarez.