With Barcelona presidential elections just around the corner, the candidates are carefully establishing the necessary conditions to convince a club with its passionate supporters, in fact, one in which history has shown supporters are inspired by anything that hints at big-star recruitment.
The saga of the campaigns will soon begin, and a big part of the competition to win supporters will be persuading voters which candidates put forward the best sporting project.
There has been a formal conjecture of the inevitable transitional phase for the Catalans at the front end of the field.
The current striker delivering the goals, while still a capable player, is on the verge of retirement as he advances in age.
There isn’t just the replacement of the player, ideally someone who not only can find the net regularly, but who has the intelligence to link with others in attack – there are not many profiles, and along with this will be astronomical costs.
Having fit and “ready-to-go” youthful midfield players will put demands on recruitment timings for replacing their striker.
Julian Alvarez is the player creating the greatest buzz at the top of FC Barcelona, according to Marca.
The Argentine World Cup winner had a sparkling breakthrough season in La Liga, scoring 27 goals and showcasing all the abilities that Barcelona desires.
A successful purchase of Alvarez would be a major sporting success and a significant political statement for any presidential candidate.
But prising Alvarez free from Atletico Madrid is likely to be an enormous challenge.
Diego Simeone views the 24-year-old as vital, and knowing Atletico’s brutal stance on sales, Barcelona will face a transfer cost of more than €100 million.
Moreover, Barcelona’s record with transfers from Atletico – specifically the past elite transfers for Griezmann and Turan – should serve as a caution.
As the election campaign develops, his name will probably be highlighted in candidates’ election manifestos.
Whether this remains election rhetoric or develops into true pursuit will ultimately have an impact on the sporting future on the pitch and the political future off the pitch.
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