Barcelona waiting for priority target to make public gesture before making a formal move
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Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez has reached a delicate stage, with the club now waiting to see whether the Argentine forward is prepared to take a more visible position regarding his future.
The striker has been one of the most discussed names around Camp Nou in recent months, but with the World Cup still underway, the situation remains on hold.
AdvertisementAdvertisementRight now, Barcelona believe the next significant development may come directly from the player himself.
In fact according to Mundo Deportivo, there is a growing feeling within the club that Alvarez could soon make a gesture that strengthens their chances of bringing him to Catalonia.
Barcelona waiting for Alvarez to break his silence
For weeks, Alvarez has avoided discussing his club future while focusing on Argentina’s World Cup campaign.
As one of the leaders of the reigning world champions, the 26-year-old has been determined to keep attention on the national team rather than transfer speculation.
That position is understandable, but Barcelona are aware that sooner or later the operation may require a stronger signal from the player.
Barcelona are waiting for Alvarez to make a public gesture. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
The club’s hierarchy knows that negotiating with Atletico Madrid will not be straightforward.
This is because Diego Simeone’s side have little interest in helping a direct rival strengthen its squad, particularly when the player involved is one of their most valuable assets.
For that reason, Barcelona believe public support from Alvarez could become an important factor if talks are to gain momentum later in the summer.
Agent’s meeting with Deco lays groundwork behind the scenes
While Alvarez has remained cautious in public, work has continued away from the spotlight.
As reported before, his agent, Fernando Hidalgo, recently met sporting director Deco to discuss possible pathways that could make a transfer feasible.
The conversations were aimed at understanding how Barcelona could structure a deal despite the player’s long-term contract with Atletico Madrid, which runs until 2030.
Another detail that has encouraged Barcelona is that Alvarez has never publicly shut down speculation linking him with the Blaugrana.
Signing Alvarez won’t be easy. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
AdvertisementAdvertisementIn a transfer of this magnitude, where every statement is examined, that silence has been interpreted positively inside the club.
Even so, Atletico Madrid have maintained a strong position and have shown no willingness to entertain the possibility of selling one of their biggest stars.
So what now?
While it is true that Barcelona’s interest is genuine, this is not a deal that will be decided by finances alone.
If Atletico Madrid are eventually to soften their position, there will likely need to be a clear indication from Alvarez himself that he wants the move.
For now, Barcelona are choosing patience because Alvarez is prioritising the World Cup and the club does not want to create unnecessary distractions.
Yet there is a growing belief that once Argentina’s tournament commitments are behind him, Alvarez may finally reveal where he sees the next chapter of his career unfolding.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
