In the concluded La Liga blockbuster, Atlético Madrid suffered a 1-3 away defeat to Barcelona, failing to extend their winning streak.
Despite Robert Lewandowski still maintaining excellent goalscoring form, his 37-year-old age has forced Barcelona to start searching for his successor.
Both Joan Laporta and Hansi Flick have clearly stated that the 25-year-old, World Cup-winning Argentine prodigy Julian Alvarez may be Barça's biggest success both politically and athletically.
In fact, the Barça president is ready to explore all possible avenues to ensure the club's fragile financial situation does not prevent Alvarez from donning the Blaugrana jersey. Whether through bargaining chips or player sales, he is determined to do everything possible to realize his dream.
Mateu Alemany is a dyed-in-the-wool football man who has served as president, general manager, and sporting director for decades. His experience, including at Barcelona, has given him first hand insight into Laporta's management and operational methods.
Therefore, shortly after taking office at Atlético, he quickly grasped the club's current situation and needs and formulated a corresponding plan: Alvarez's contract extension is not only non-negotiable but also a top priority. To this end, he plans to renew Alvarez's contract to dispel any doubts and consolidate the forward's status as a key player for the club for at least the next five years.
In fact, although the two parties have not yet sat down to discuss the renewal, there have been some initial contacts indicating the willingness to extend the contract.
Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that Alemany has the support of the American-owned investment group Apollo Global Management, which has provided him with significant assistance both in retaining the Argentine forward and in building a team that meets his expectations.
As for the player himself, Alvarez seems oblivious to the surrounding noise, is very happy playing at Atlético, and is eager to continue winning trophies in his career. Since bursting onto the scene at River Plate and winning the Copa Libertadores, he has demonstrated great ambition on the pitch.
Later, he won the Champions League and Premier League titles with Manchester City. "La Araña" (The Spider) cannot imagine a career without top-flight competition. As a result, he has scored ten goals this season, even surpassing his tally from last season.
Last season, he opened the scoring in two of his four matches (one La Liga game and one Copa del Rey) against none other than Barcelona, proving that he always shines in big games.
Today, the Camp Nou is waiting for him, and rumors about his future are rife. However, since scoring a stunning goal at the RCDE Stadium in the first round, he has not found the net away from home, which may be an unfulfilled mission for him.
