Barcelona rush to complete €100m deal after Gordon signing

 Barcelona are meeting with the agent of Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez as the Camp Nou side seek to set up a blockbuster second summer transfer following confirmation that a deal is in place to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle.

Sporting director Deco jetted back to Spain from London on Wednesday having set up the basis of an agreement that should see England winger Gordon move to Barcelona in a deal worth around €80 million.

With that transfer seemingly wrapped up at lightning speed, the Catalan side are aiming to complete another blockbuster deal before the World Cup begins, with Atleti sensation Alvarez in their sights.

Barcelona in Julian Alvarez transfer discussions

Mundo Deportivo reports that Deco met Alvarez’s agent Fernando Hidalgo in Barcelona and held discussions that could be critical to ‘unlocking’ a deal, which the Catalans believe could be concluded at €100m plus add-ons.

The goal of the Camp Nou side is to push through a transfer by the time Alvarez begins his World Cup campaign with Argentina on 17 June against Algeria.

Indeed, both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are eager for the saga to be concluded quickly one way or the other. Alvarez, meanwhile, has indicated that he is content at Atleti but would prefer a switch to the Blaugrana.

The former Manchester City player has also been linked with Arsenal and PSG, though he has previously made his preference to move to Barcelona public.

Juanma Lopez: Barcelona’s secret weapon to land Alvarez

Deco was not alone at Wednesday’s meeting. Accompanying the Barcelona sporting director was agent Juanma Lopez, who represents Joan Garcia and Dani Olmo, two players who have recently moved to the Camp Nou side.

Lopez’s presence at the summit is given particular importance due to the strength of relationship that he has with Atletico Madrid. He spent a decade as a player in their red and white, and since becoming an agent has maintained close ties with the club.

The belief from Barcelona’s perspective is that he will be able to smooth over any minor details that may prevent them from signing Alvarez.

Where are Barcelona getting the money to sign Alvarez and Gordon?

Barcelona’s financial issues are expected to ease up imminently, with the club expected to be given the all-clear to return to the 1:1 financial rule. The departure of Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the end of his contract and the expected sale of Ansu Fati should ensure this.

Once back on the 1:1 ratio, any funds generated through player sales or wages can go directly towards new signings. They had previously been restricted to reinvesting just 60% of their income in their squad under the league’s strict financial rules.

Big-money sales have been seen as a requirement for Barcelona to make big-money deals like Gordon and Alvarez, yet if president Joan Laporta can pull some financial levers in the background, this could also free up finances for lavish summer transfers.

Nevertheless, the speed and scale at which Barcelona are conducting their business this summer remains surprising yet impressive.