Real Madrid have just helped Barcelona fund the Julian Alvarez signing

Real Madrid have just helped Barcelona fund the Julian Alvarez signing have received a small but welcome cash injection from the unlikeliest of sources as they continue their pursuit of striker . The Argentina international is the Blaugrana's top striker target following the departure of Robert Lewandowski, but progress on a deal for him has been nonexistent due to Atleti's not-for-sale stance. Alvarez is desperate to join Barcelona, as he openly admitted on Monday after Argentina beat Austria at the World Cup. He said that a transfer would be in the best interest of everyone and that he wants to fulfil his "dream." The relationship between Alvarez and Atleti manager Diego Simeone is said to be in tatters, but the Madrid club remain firm. They have no intention of doing business with Barcelona and are pointing to Alvarez's €500 million release clause. Obviously, the Catalans will not trigger that clause, but they remain hopeful of making some inroads with the help of Alvarez. Will Atleti really keep a player who has no interest in playing for the club again? Barcelona focus on outgoings While this saga rumbles on, Barcelona are focusing their energy on outgoings in a bid to create Financial Fair Play leeway and to make funds available for the potential signing of Alvarez, which may require a fee north of €150m. Goalkeeper Inaki Pena has already been sold to Panathinaikos after spending last season on loan at Elche, and Ansu Fati is next on the chopping block, with his loan to Monaco expected to be made permanent shortly. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen will also be offloaded, while Marc Casado is available for €20m-€30m. The latter has attracted the attention of Atleti, Man Utd and more clubs around Europe and in Saudi Arabia. Besides the Pena sale, another financial boost has already arrived, and it came from the unlikeliest of sources: Hated rivals have been forced to pay Barcelona a small fee for . The Spain international was signed by Los Blancos early last week in a surprising and slightly awkward €60m deal. Cucurella had made no secret of his desire to leave Chelsea, but it was expected that he would either end up at Atletico Madrid or fulfil his dream of returning to Barcelona. In the end, it was Real Madrid who pounced and rapidly agreed a hefty package with Chelsea. And because Cucurella came through La Masia, €1.35m of the fee paid by Florentino Perez has been transferred to Barcelona as training compensation, according to Mundo Deportivo. It is not a large windfall, but it is a welcome boost as Barcelona look to balance the books.