Flick indicates Barcelona may not sign another striker as Atleti resist Alvarez sale

[p]The Spanish champions are still pursuing 2022 World Cup winner [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alvarez-julian/bBHauDIC/"]Alvarez[/a], but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atl-madrid/jaarqpLQ/"]Atletico[/a] have thus far refused to sell the 26-year-old forward, who missed training on Wednesday due to illness.[/p][p]Spanish media reported [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barca[/a] president Joan Laporta wants "Alvarez or nobody" and Flick said the club also had to think about the future and he is happy with his squad.[/p][p][b]"I don't want to speak about Julian. I only want to (speak) about the situation of the club. We made some really good, good transfers now in this market," [/b]the German coach told reporters.[/p][p][b]"Our goal is clear, but in the end also the club has to think about the future. Not only the present now.[/b][/p][p][b]"Of course, as a coach I will say 'OK, give me the best you can have, and more and more and more', maybe it works or maybe not. I have total confidence in the quality we have now."[/b][/p][p]In July, Laporta said Barcelona had made a bid for the Atletico forward, and the club were leaving it on the table even after Atletico told them Alvarez was not for sale.[/p][embed guid="651f7414-25bc-44f0-a9bc-6728e222f282" url="https://x.com/FCBarcelona/status/2092598382279671935" social-type="twitter" /][p]Laporta reiterated later Wednesday that Barcelona are still hoping Atletico decide to sell them Alvarez, who was jeered by the Rojiblancos' own fans during their 2-2 La Liga draw against Villarreal on Sunday.[/p][p][b]"It seems that the player wants to come to Barca, and therefore we continue to hold on to our hope, our intention - always with the utmost respect for Atletico Madrid - of being able to sign the player," [/b]said Laporta in a video published by the club.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/news/soccer-laliga-barcelona-president-laporta-reiterates-club-s-interest-in-signing-julian-alvarez/jsuywUzJ/"]Laporta said Barca had received "information" that Atletico had been in talks with other clubs[/a] about the possibility of selling Alvarez, with the president keen for the striker's destination to be Camp Nou if he does leave the Spanish capital.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a] have been linked to Alvarez in recent days, while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Real Madrid[/a] made a bid for the striker at the start of the summer, although it was not seen as a serious attempt to sign him.[/p][h2]'We have to find solutions'[/h2][p]Strikers [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lewandowski-robert/MVC8zHZD/"]Robert Lewandowski[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/torres-ferran/AVAVLaLt/"]Ferran Torres[/a] left Camp Nou in the summer, while Barca signed wingers [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gordon-anthony/EFo95m2P/"]Anthony Gordon[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/adeyemi-karim/GvIzwgo8/"]Karim Adeyemi[/a].[/p][p]The only recognised centre-forward Barca have is Egyptian teenager [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/abdelkarim-hamza/jPwJgdF6/"]Hamza Abdelkarim[/a], who impressed in pre-season but is yet to make his official debut.[/p][infobox id="ec74e862-e221-4cca-911d-224836e2362d" /][p]Barca started the first game of the season with winger [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/raphinha/xtBsDPam/"]Raphinha[/a] playing up front and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/barcelona-SKbpVP5K/elche-4jl02tPF/?mid=Gfdoa7xn"]beat Elche 5-0 on Sunday.[/a][/p][p]Flick admitted the club may have to try different solutions in that position, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/olmo-dani/2oVBOlPg/"]Dani Olmo[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fermin/2c2ipETG/"]Fermin Lopez[/a], Gordon and Adeyemi all capable of playing through the middle.[/p][p][b]"Of course we have to manage something, we have to maybe find solutions for some situations and some games, but the quality we have now is huge,"[/b] added Flick.[/p][p][b]"For me, the club is doing a great job. (Sporting director) Deco is doing a great job. We're looking at the future, not just for this moment, but we're looking at the next three, four, five years.[/b][/p][p][b]"I think the club is stabilised and this is what we all want."[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/ath-bilbao-IP5zl0cJ/barcelona-SKbpVP5K/?mid=0Atuqenl"]Barcelona host Athletic Club on Thursday,[/a] which should see new midfield arrival [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rodri/K0G8DB00/"]Rodri[/a] get his first minutes for the club.[/p][p]Flick confirmed the former Manchester City man would be part of the squad and is likely to appear as a substitute.[/p][p]The 61-year-old coach said he is excited to watch Spanish World Cup winners Rodri and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pedri/baBG8QuI/"]Pedri[/a] combine in midfield for Barca.[/p][p][b]"Rodri has more experience, he's totally a leader. With Pedri (they can) control the ball, control the game, control the opponent,"[/b] said Flick.[/p][p][b]"Everyone knows Rodri is one of the best and together with Pedri... it will be top level for me."[/b][/p][infobox id="14dacc89-3234-4d6e-b854-e74d05c9dce3" /]