FC Barcelona targets Julián Álvarez and João Cancelo

FC Barcelona targets Julián Álvarez and João Cancelo ahead of their July 27 trip to England, with manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco pushing to get both deals done before pre-season starts. João Cancelo is the nearer-to-completion signing. Barcelona has reportedly agreed with Al-Hilal on a package worth about €10 million, on a two-year contract. The main remaining step is the player’s formal signature. Cancelo previously had loan experience with Barcelona, so integration risk is considered low. Julián Álvarez is the bigger and more expensive swing. The Atlético Madrid striker is valued at roughly €100 million and would be positioned as a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski. Barcelona has reportedly reached personal terms with Álvarez, and the player is said to be keen to join. Flick also sent Álvarez a WhatsApp message: “Trust in us. We’re going to be there fighting for your signing as far as we can.” The July 27 deadline matters for timing: Cancelo can fit more easily given prior familiarity, while Álvarez would benefit most from early training reps to complement—or eventually replace—Lewandowski-level output. FC Barcelona targets Julián Álvarez and João Cancelo as both a practical squad-planning move and a statement of ambition.