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Barcelona remain hopeful of signing Julian Alvarez before the transfer window closes, club president Joan Laporta said, but Atletico Madrid continue to resist attempts to prise away the Argentina forward.Barca coach Hansi Flick acknowledged that the club could end the summer without signing a new striker if their pursuit of Alvarez ultimately fails.The Catalan giants have made Alvarez their prime target, with Spanish media reporting Laporta's stance is effectively "Alvarez or nobody" as Barca seek to strengthen their attack following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.Atletico, however, have repeatedly stated the 2022 World Cup winner is not for sale. Asked by AFP for comment, an Atletico source said the club had made their position clear already on multiple occasions.Alvarez, 26, missed Atletico training on Wednesday due to illness, days after being jeered by some of his own supporters during Sunday's 2-2 La Liga draw against Villarreal.Barcelona's interest in Alvarez has been public for months, and the player said during the World Cup that he would like to leave.In July, Laporta revealed that Barca had submitted a bid for the striker and said the offer would remain on the table even after Atletico informed them the player was not available.Speaking again, Laporta reiterated that Barcelona have not abandoned hope of reaching an agreement with Atletico."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," Laporta said in a video published by the club.Laporta also said Barcelona had received "information" indicating Atletico had held discussions with other clubs about a possible sale, strengthening the club's belief that a transfer could still happen.Arsenal have been linked with Alvarez in recent days, while Real Madrid made an approach earlier in the summer, although it was not considered a serious attempt to secure the striker's signature."We would like to reach an understanding with Atletico Madrid – we maintain our proposal, our offer to Atletico Madrid," Laporta said. "Hopefully there will be an understanding between the two clubs, between all of us, so that if they sell the player Barca will be the ones that can acquire the services of Julian Alvarez."Flick avoided discussing the player directly when asked about Barcelona's interest but admitted the club's plans must balance short-term ambitions with long-term stability."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," Flick told reporters ahead of Thursday's match against Athletic Bilbao."Our goal is clear, but in the end also the club has to think about the future. Not only the present now. 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 with the quality we have now."The only recognised centre-forward in Barca's squad is Egyptian teenager Hamza Abdelkarim, who impressed in pre-season but has yet to make his official debut.Barcelona began their La Liga campaign with winger Raphinha leading the line in a 5-0 victory over Elche, and Flick admitted alternative solutions may be needed if Alvarez does not arrive.Midfielders Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo, as well as new arrivals Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi could be used in a false nine role. "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," said Flick."For me the club is doing a great job. 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. I think the club is stabilised and this is what we all want." 

Alvarez struck twice to earn Atletico Madrid an emphatic 5-2 derby victory over La Liga leaders Real Madrid Saturday, ending their rivals' perfect start to the season.Xabi Alonso's side had won all six of their games but Diego Simeone's Atletico overran them at the Metropolitano stadium. The hosts took the lead through Robin Le Normand.Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler netted to put Real Madrid in front but Alexander Sorloth levelled for Atletico at the end of a thrilling first half. Alvarez fired in from the penalty spot and then bent home a free-kick.Antoine Griezmann grabbed the fifth late on to seal an important win after a shaky start to the campaign. Atletico rose provisionally to fourth. "There are no excuses, we're hurting, it's a derby and a deserved defeat," said Alonso, after his side conceded five against their rivals for the first time since 1950.Atletico's joy was evident, with Simeone visibly emotional on the sideline as his team racked up the scoreline. "There's a lot of emotions... we've had a troubled start to the season," said Simeone. "From the start of the game we knew where we could hurt them... today was a very, very good (performance)."Led by a flying Mbappe, Real came into Alonso's first derby at the helm as the only side in the league with a 100 percent record. Although the French superstar scored again to reach eight league goals for the season, Atletico attacked relentlessly and deserved their victory.Real Madrid started Jude Bellingham for the first time since his shoulder surgery in the summer, but the England international struggled to make an impact. Giuliano Simeone, coach Diego Simeone's son, took advantage of slack Madrid defending to whip in a cross which Le Normand headed home after 14 minutes to open the scoring.The visitors reacted well. Mbappe levelled with a crisp finish after breaking in down the right. Atletico were taking the game to Real Madrid, with Alonso's side content to spring forward on the counter, trying to use the pace of Vinicius Junior and Mbappe.The Brazilian winger created Madrid's second goal, turning brilliantly in the box to break away from Marcos Llorente and Le Normand, before crossing for Guler to strike. Alvarez, who netted a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano in midweek, curled a shot around Thibaut Courtois but against the post as Atletico continued pushing.Atletico defender Clement Lenglet put the ball in the net but the Frenchman used his forearm to deflect it home. In first-half stoppage time, Atletico pulled level. Sorloth, lurking behind Dean Huijsen, planted a header beyond Courtois.The Norwegian striker celebrated with Atletico fans, who embraced him – a risky move when already on a yellow card, but he was not dismissed. Atletico moved in front for the second time when Guler gave away a penalty for a high boot, catching Nico Gonzalez's head.Alvarez, who had a penalty controversially disallowed in a Champions League shoot-out the last time the sides met, beat Courtois from the spot, even though the Belgian went the right way. "Each penalty is a new penalty, a new game, a new chance," said Alvarez.Courtois saved from Sorloth but despite getting a hand to Alvarez's free-kick, he could not keep it out as Atletico pushed two goals clear. On as a substitute, Atletico talisman Griezmann wrapped up a superb victory, rolling the ball past Courtois as the home fans rocked in delight.The players did a lap of honour, after only their third league win of the season, but it was a vital one. "It's a very special day, we knew how important this game was, being a derby of course but also because we needed the three points," Alvarez said.Real Madrid's defeat means champions Barcelona have the chance to move top, if they beat Real Sociedad today. "Few words can console us, but tomorrow the sun will come out and we will work harder than ever," pledged Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal.