Barcelona make a secret move to sign Alvarez

Barcelona have continued their behind-the-scenes efforts to bolster their chances of signing Argentine striker Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid, after reports revealed a new move by the Catalan club's sporting director, Deco, to keep the deal alive . According to the newspaper "Sport," Deco held a secret meeting in Madrid with Fernando Hidalgo, Álvarez's agent, in the presence of João Amaral, in an attempt to devise a new strategy to bring the player closer to a move to Barcelona during the current transfer window . This move comes as the Catalan club faces significant difficulties in negotiations, due to Atlético Madrid's insistence on retaining their striker and their refusal to let him leave. However, Barcelona's management believes that maintaining contact with the player's representative could be key to any future developments . Despite the complexity of the situation, Barcelona's management still considers Julián Álvarez a primary target in their sporting project, believing that his attacking abilities are well-suited to the team's needs in the coming period . Club officials believe the player's desire could play a significant role in changing the course of negotiations, especially given reports indicating the Argentine striker is open to a new challenge with Barcelona . Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid remains firm in its refusal to let Álvarez go, considering him a key player and unwilling to lose him to one of their major Spanish rivals . Deco's meeting with the player's agent doesn't necessarily mean an immediate breakthrough in the deal, but it confirms that Barcelona hasn't abandoned the Álvarez file and that the Catalan club continues to work quietly to secure one of the most ambitious signings of the transfer window .