Barcelona have boasted some legendary attackers in recent years stretching from the iconic Ronaldo Nazario, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to current superstar Robert Lewandowski.
A superstar forward has led the La Blaugrana attack for decades, but the club are planning for the longer term as Lewandowski enters the twilight of his career, and his contract expires in 2026.
According to recent reports from Marca suggests, the La Liga leaders have selected Atletico Madrid marksman Julian Alvarez as the ideal replacement, with Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak also in the mix.
Barcelona were previously interested in Alvarez – during his early career at River Plate in Argentina – but they did not formalise those links into an offer for the Argentina international.
The report also highlights how a possible push for Alvarez could form part of Joan Laporta’s campaign to win the Barcelona presidential election in 2026.
An offer for the 25-year-old is unlikely to arrive until next summer, but the ground work could be laid in the coming months, with Lewandowski unlikely to extend his own link beyond the end of next season.
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Will Julian Alvarez move to Barcelona?
Alvarez emerged on Atletico Madrid’s radar based on his superb form for Manchester City – as despite slipping down to a deputy role behind Erling Haaland at the Etihad Stadium – he still shone in his limited game time in the Premier League.
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Pep Guardiola could do little to block an exit last summer, as he admitted City could not give Alvarez the role he deserved, and the club accepted an £81.8m [$109m] offer from Diego Simeone.
Alvarez has been phenomenal in his first season with Los Rojiblancos, scoring 27 goals in 50 appearances across competitions.
Operating as a versatile forward, who not only scores goals but also always improves the players around him, Alvarez has partnered positively with Alexander Sorloth and Antoine Griezmann in Madrid.
An instant ability to adapt from the EPL to La Liga has only boosted Barcelona’s interest with current No.9 Lewandowski turning 37 in August.
Barcelona will not be unopposed in their interest in Alvarez, with Liverpool interested in bringing him back to England.
Finances would also need to improve in Barcelona, with Laporta making progress in that regard, but Atletico Madrid would demand a fee in the region of what they paid City for Alvarez if the Catalans take a steep forward.
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