CORNERFLICK
Barcelona are preparing a €150 million offer for Julián Álvarez, according to Spanish outlet El Chiringuito.
The report says the bid would include a sizeable fixed fee, with the rest tied to performance-related bonuses. It comes a day after Atlético Madrid said they would complain to FIFA over Barcelona's alleged talks with a player still under contract.
Atlético's position has not changed. Club officials continue to insist that Álvarez is not for sale and have ruled out his departure.
Barcelona, though, remain optimistic that they can persuade Atlético to agree to a deal. If the figure is finalised, it would rank among the biggest offers ever made for a forward.
The saga has escalated in recent days after Álvarez reportedly said he wanted to leave Atlético to fulfil his dream. Atlético chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín then accused Barcelona of improper contact with the player and confirmed the club's intention to take the matter to FIFA.
The question now is whether Barcelona can back up the speculation with a formal bid, and whether Atlético hold firm.