Barcelona are pursuing alternative striker options as Atletico Madrid remain firm in their refusal to sell Julian Alvarez this summer, according to reports in Spain. The La Liga club are described as ‘obsessed’ with signing Alvarez, but Atletico have already rejected a €150 million bid from Real Madrid and are unlikely to change their stance.
Barcelona are reportedly prepared to offer €135 million plus €15 million in add-ons to try and ‘seduce’ Atletico into a deal, with Alvarez himself reportedly keen on a move to the Catalan side. However, Atletico would reportedly prefer to sell to a club outside of Spain, with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain seen as more acceptable destinations. Claims of a ‘done deal’ with Arsenal have been dismissed as inaccurate by Spanish sources.
With a deal for Alvarez proving difficult, Barcelona have identified three alternative targets. Initial interest in Joao Pedro of Chelsea was quickly dismissed due to the club’s €100 million-plus asking price and reluctance to sell. Harry Kane, currently at Bayern Munich, is described as ‘the other big dream’ despite being 33 years old, though his expiring contract and Bayern’s desire to offer him a new deal present a challenge.
Eli Kroupi is another player gaining traction within the club, but his youth and a €100 million price tag represent a potential risk. Arsenal and PSG are also reportedly monitoring Kroupi. However, Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal is considered ‘the most reasonable bet’ by Barcelona officials. The 29-year-old, who scored a career-best 15 La Liga goals last season, has a €75 million release clause and is seen as a ‘good fit’ for Hansi Flick’s side, potentially becoming their new number nine.
The situation highlights Barcelona’s need to strengthen their attack ahead of the upcoming season, but they face significant obstacles in securing their primary target. Oyarzabal’s proven track record in La Liga and relatively affordable release clause could make him the most realistic option as they navigate a challenging transfer window.
