Barcelona’s plans to signal Julian Alvarez have suffered a serious blow, forcing the membership to show its consideration in the direction of various choices within the switch market.
The Atletico Madrid ahead had emerged as a precedence goal as Barcelona appeared to strengthen the No. 9 place, however the operation is now believed to be “99% off the table”.
With Atletico Madrid unwilling to make the deal simple and the scenario displaying little signal of adjusting, the Blaugrana could have to just accept that Alvarez is not going to be arriving this summer time.
That leaves Hansi Flick and the Barcelona sporting division with an essential determination.
Signing a brand new striker stays excessive on the membership’s agenda, notably as Barcelona search for a participant who can provide objectives, motion and a distinct dimension within the closing third.
Nevertheless, changing a goal resembling Alvarez is not going to be easy.
Several names have already been discussed internally or linked with Barcelona, starting from established stars to youthful and doubtlessly extra reasonably priced choices.
Listed here are 5 gamers Barcelona are contemplating as they put together to reluctantly shut the door on the Julian Alvarez switch.
Georges Mikautadze
Georges Mikautadze seems to be one of many extra critically mentioned alternate options, notably as a result of he has the backing of Barcelona sporting director Deco.
The Villarreal striker loved a formidable 2025/26 season, scoring 15 objectives and registering six assists.
These numbers, mixed together with his performances, have reportedly satisfied Deco that Mikautadze might add one thing worthwhile to the Barcelona assault.
Nevertheless, there’s a important impediment.
Hansi Flick is not as convinced by the operation. The Barcelona supervisor is alleged to have reservations about whether or not Mikautadze is the proper match and, at this stage, “doesn’t see it clearly”.
That distinction of opinion may very well be decisive, as amajor signing would require sporting settlement between the supervisor and the membership’s decision-makers, notably given the value concerned.
In the meantime, any transfer for Mikautadze might price Barcelona at the least €70 million, which is a considerable funding for a participant Flick just isn’t but totally bought on, making this a sophisticated possibility regardless of Deco’s obvious admiration.
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres would characterize a very different type of signing.
The Swedish striker is coming into his prime and has established himself as one of the crucial dependable goalscorers in European soccer.
He might turn out to be an possibility relying on how Arsenal’s attacking plans develop, though any potential deal would nonetheless be costly.
Gyokeres affords greater than a conventional penalty-box presence. He’s snug transferring into wider areas, attacking open areas and carrying the ball in the direction of purpose.
He may also create alternatives for teammates, qualities that would swimsuit Flick’s aggressive and direct attacking method.
Nevertheless, there are questions over components of his total sport, notably his potential to persistently hyperlink play on the highest degree, however his goalscoring file stays troublesome to disregard.
The largest concern can be the monetary package deal. Barcelona can be paying for a participant anticipated to make a right away influence relatively than somebody who can step by step develop.
His switch price and wage might make Gyokeres one of the crucial costly choices on the listing.
Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez is one other acquainted title when Barcelona’s striker search turns into a speaking level.
The Inter Milan ahead has been linked with the Blaugrana a number of instances over time, and Barcelona have made an enquiry about his scenario.
Nevertheless, that contact didn’t become concrete negotiations, as Inter have little purpose to make his departure simple.
Lautaro stays a central determine of their sporting venture and considered one of their most essential gamers.
There was no indication that the Italian membership is actively seeking to promote him, which makes any Lautaro Martinez to Barcelona operation extraordinarily troublesome.
At 28, the Argentine nonetheless has a number of years on the high degree forward of him. He brings confirmed objectives, expertise and the flexibility to carry out in main matches.
From a sporting perspective, he can be a powerful possibility. From a monetary and negotiating perspective, nonetheless, he could also be one of the crucial troublesome offers Barcelona might try.
Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen would arguably be the most explosive option on this list.
The Nigerian striker has continued to draw curiosity from main golf equipment throughout Europe, whereas Saudi Arabian sides have additionally reportedly proven a willingness to spend large sums to safe his signature.
In reality, current reviews have recommended that Galatasaray rejected an enormous €150 million provide from Al-Hilal for the 27-year-old.
Arsenal have additionally been linked with Osimhen, and it’s simple to know why.
He affords tempo, energy, bodily presence and a constant menace in entrance of purpose.
His potential to assault area might make him notably harmful in a Barcelona facet that spends massive intervals of matches within the opposition half.
But the monetary actuality might make the operation extraordinarily troublesome.
Each the switch price and wage would require an enormous dedication. Barcelona would want to determine whether or not Osimhen is price making one of many greatest investments of their present venture.
Nicolo Tresoldi
Nicolo Tresoldi may very well be the wildcard.
The 21-year-old German ahead, at present taking part in for Membership Brugge, doesn’t carry the identical profile as the opposite names on this listing, though his age, bodily attributes and up to date goalscoring file make him an fascinating possibility.
Throughout the 2025/26 season, Tresoldi performed 58 matches throughout all competitions and scored 23 objectives.
Standing at 6ft 1in, he affords a powerful bodily presence whereas nonetheless having loads of room to develop.
His contract with Membership Brugge runs till 2029, and he’s reportedly valued at round €45-50 million.
That worth would nonetheless characterize a critical funding, particularly for a participant with out intensive expertise on the very highest degree, making Tresoldi, for whom Barcelona have already made contacts, of venture.
However in contrast with the likes of Lautaro, Osimhen and Gyokeres, Barcelona can be investing in potential in addition to fast output.
If Flick and the sporting division imagine his growth can proceed at a fast tempo, he might turn out to be a extra long-term answer to the membership’s No. 9 downside.
