Liverpool get huge Julian Alvarez boost: Forward will cost £130m

Last summer Liverpool freshened up their attack with two new strikers - Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.

Ekitike came on board from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69m while Isak cost almost double that - £125m from Newcastle.

While Ekitike, 23, has done well in his first season - scoring 11 times in the Premier League up to now - Isak remains on the sidelines with a broken leg.

We could see Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes attempt to recruit another striker in summer in order to improve fortunes in front of goal.

Wing looks like the immediate priority for the Premier League champions but a deal for long-time target Julian Alvarez would be too good to turn down.

Julian Alvarez: Situation summary

Liverpool’s interest in Julián Álvarez stretches back to his River Plate days, when he was regularly flagged in local and fan media as a forward the club “should” be looking at, even if there was no concrete move before Manchester City stepped in during January 2022.

Once at City, he stayed on Liverpool’s radar, with 2024 reports that the Reds explored a possible swap involving Luis Díaz as City weighed up Álvarez’s future role.

The most tangible phase came in 2024–25, when Liverpool’s need for a No. 9 led to direct contact with Álvarez’s camp and City, something his agent Fernando Hidalgo and subsequent reporting around Richard Hughes’ travel to Spain both corroborate.

Liverpool ultimately lost out when Álvarez chose Atlético Madrid in an £80m‑plus deal, but they did not drop the idea entirely.

Since his explosion under Diego Simeone, Álvarez has again been name‑checked as a player of interest, with Hidalgo confirming Liverpool’s approach “last summer” and Anfield‑focused outlets framing him as a live option if circumstances at Atlético change.

Atletico will sell Alvarez to PL clubs

Spanish outlet Sport is claiming that Atletico have resolved to not sell Alvarez to Barcelona. The capital club are unhappy over Barca’s conduct - and will only consider offers from the Premier League for their No19.

Owing to Atletico’s valuation - close to €150m (£130m) - no other European teams are easily able to afford the asking price. And that puts Liverpool in a select band of clubs in the queue for the FIFA World Cup winner’s signature.

“Atlético has decided not to sell Julián Álvarez to Barcelona, ​​although they might explore a transfer to the Premier League if the fee significantly exceeds €100 million,” the report reads.

“Atlético would only consider selling him if an offer close to €150 million arrives. And that offer can only come from the Premier League.”

It’s unclear right now how Alvarez could be accommodated in the lineup. That should be for Arne Slot to work out next season however as Liverpool get a big boost in their chase for a much-coveted striking target.

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