Barcelona PULL OUT of Álvarez Race: New Target Identified
Barcelona’s Striker Search: Why They’ve Stopped Chasing Julián Álvarez and What Happens Next
The Big Picture: Barcelona Needs a Goal Scorer
Imagine your favorite video game character just retired, and now your team needs a new star player. That’s basically what’s happening at Barcelona right now. Two of their main goal scorers—Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres—have left the club, leaving a big hole in the attack.
Important Point: Barcelona’s coach, Hansi Flick, says the team must sign a new "Number 9" (that’s soccer talk for a center forward/striker) before the transfer window closes. But not everyone at the club agrees—some think the current players can handle it.
What Happened with Julián Álvarez?
Barcelona really, really wanted Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid. Here’s the timeline:
- Top Target: Álvarez was Barcelona’s #1 choice all summer.
- Big Offer Rejected: Barcelona offered around €100 million (over $108 million USD). Atlético said no.
- Player Wants Out: Álvarez even told reporters he wants to leave Atlético.
- Dead End: Atlético refused to budge. Barcelona has now accepted the deal won’t happen this month.
Important Point: Barcelona hasn’t ruled out trying again in January (the winter transfer window), but for now, they’ve moved on to Plan B, C, and D.
Who Else Is on Barcelona’s Shopping List?
Since Álvarez is off the table (for now), Barcelona is looking at several other options. Some are realistic, some are "dream big" targets.
The "Dream Big" Targets (Very Expensive / Unlikely)
| Player | Current Club | Why It’s Hard |
|---|---|---|
| Lautaro Martínez | Inter Milan | World-class striker, but Inter won’t sell cheap. |
| Luis Suárez | Sporting CP | Not that Luis Suárez! This is a younger Uruguayan star. Very pricey. |
| Benjamin Sesko | RB Leipzig | Barcelona has liked him for years, but he’s likely headed to Manchester United. |
The "Smart Money" Options
| Player | Current Club | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Georges Mikautadze | Villarreal | Hot candidate! Barcelona loves his stats and performance data since he moved to Spain. |
| Ayoze Pérez | Villarreal | Also at Villarreal, experienced in La Liga. |
| Junior Kroupi | Bournemouth | Was a target, but ruled out for 4 months with a foot injury. |
| João Pedro | Chelsea | Was a target, but just signed a new contract with Chelsea. |
The "Use What You Have" Plan (Coach Flick isn’t thrilled about this)
Some club leaders think Barcelona already has enough players who can play striker, even if it’s not their natural position:
- Raphinha (usually a winger)
- Karim Adeyemi (new signing, usually a winger)
- Anthony Gordon (new signing, usually a winger)
- Lamine Yamal (superstar teenager, usually a winger)
- Fermín López & Dani Olmo (midfielders who have played "False 9" before)
- Hamza Abdelkarim (only natural striker in preseason—he’s 18 years old)
Wait, Barcelona Has Already Signed People?
Yes! It’s been a busy summer. Rodri (not the Man City one) became signing #4 this week. Here’s the scorecard so far:
- Anthony Gordon
- Karim Adeyemi
- Jesse Bisiwu
- Rodri
- João Cancelo (Set to join this week)
Important Point: Notice something? Gordon and Adeyemi are wingers. That’s why Coach Flick is still asking for a real striker. He wants a specialist, not more converted wingers.
Summary: Where Things Stand Right Now
- Álvarez Deal: Dead for this summer. Atlético Madrid wouldn’t sell.
- Coach’s Wish: Hansi Flick wants a traditional No. 9.
- Club View: Split decision. Sporting Director Deco is hunting alternatives; others trust the current squad depth.
- Top Alternatives: Georges Mikautadze (Villarreal) looks like the most realistic "new" signing target right now.
- Backup Plan: If no one comes in, Raphinha, Adeyemi, Gordon, or Yamal will take turns playing up front.
- Window Status: Open but closing soon. Decisions need to happen fast.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why won’t Atlético Madrid sell Julián Álvarez to Barcelona?
Simple answer: They are direct rivals in La Liga. Selling your best player to your biggest competitor makes your team weaker and theirs stronger. Atlético doesn’t need the money badly enough to help Barcelona.
What is a "False 9"?
ELI5 Explanation: Usually, a striker (Number 9) stays high up the field waiting for passes. A False 9 is a midfielder who pretends to be a striker—they drop back into midfield to get the ball, confusing the defenders who don’t know whether to follow them or stay back. Lionel Messi made this famous at Barcelona!
Who is Hamza Abdelkarim?
He is an 18-year-old Egyptian striker who was the only natural center forward in Barcelona’s preseason training. He’s very young and unproven at the top level, so relying on him for a whole season would be a huge risk.
Is Georges Mikautadze a guaranteed signing?
No. He’s a strong candidate that Barcelona scouts like based on data and performances. But "linked with" doesn’t mean "signed." Deals can fall apart over price, contract terms, or the selling club changing their mind.
When does the transfer window close?
The summer transfer window in Spain typically closes at midnight on August 31st (or early September 1st). Barcelona has days, not weeks, to finalize a deal if they want a new striker for the start of the full season schedule.
Article based on reporting by Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens for ESPN, published August 19, 2026.