A meeting between Álvarez’s agent and Deco is expected to take place in the coming hours. Barcelona’s head of scouting João Amaral has also made the trip to Madrid and will join a second meeting.
The Catalan club view the talks as their last major effort to complete what has been a difficult transfer pursuit this summer. Álvarez remains under contract at Atlético Madrid, who have so far resisted selling the Argentina international.
Barcelona have made the striker a priority target as they look to strengthen their forward line.