Former Barcelona star happy club missed out on Julian Alvarez: ‘Hopefully he won’t come in January’

Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez dominated much of their summer, but the saga ultimately ended in disappointment, with Atletico Madrid refusing to sell to a direct rival.

The Catalans instead turned to Gabriel Jesus as a low-cost alternative, while Raphinha has thrived in the false nine role in the early weeks of the season.

Reflecting on the failed operation, former Barcelona striker Julio Salinas has offered his own take, insisting the club were right to walk away.

Salinas glad the Alvarez deal collapsed

Speaking on Radio MARCA, Salinas made clear he believes a move for Alvarez would have been a mistake, primarily due to the fee involved.

“I’m glad he didn’t come now, and hopefully he won’t come in January. For me it’s a mistake,” he said.

The former forward added that he does not doubt the Argentine’s quality, but felt the financial outlay was simply too great for a club in Barcelona’s situation.

“He’s a very good footballer, no one’s going to discuss his quality, but I think that amount of money is an exaggeration,” he added.

He also urged Barcelona to be shrewder in the market. “They should learn a little bit about buying better and selling better,” he added.

Salinas, meanwhile, claimed that Atletico Madrid should have taken the deal as Barcelona were desperate. He added that he would have even signed Ferran Torres as a replacement for Alvarez.

“The offer I think Barça made of 130 million seems to me too much money, too much money. Seeing the need of Barça, I would have tried to sign Ferran Torres and to be paid, imagine, Ferran Torres and 80 million. I’d look like a bargain,” he said.

Praise for Raphinha

The former striker also heaped praise on Raphinha, who has been banging in goals for fun this season.

“As long as Raphinha is well, the role of Raphinha in Barça seems decisive to me,” Salinas said.

He concluded by explaining how Raphinha’s relentless work ethic sets the standard for the entire squad.

“Raphinha, with what he presses in every game, even if he goes 5-0, makes that in the end Lamine Yamal has to do the same,” he concluded.