Barcelona could switch Raphinha into central role if Alvarez move collapses, says Maldini

Barcelona may already have an answer to their search for a new number nine if their attempt to sign Argentina forward Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid fails, according to football analyst Julio Maldonado, widely known as Maldini.

The Catalan club are continuing to pursue a recognised striker, with Alvarez reported to be their leading target. However, Atletico Madrid are firmly opposed to opening negotiations with their La Liga rivals, leaving the proposed transfer at an impasse and creating considerable tension between the club and the player.

Maldini, a commentator for Movistar+ and the programme El Partidazo de la COPE, believes Barcelona could avoid entering an inflated striker market by using Raphinha in a central attacking role instead.

“I think Raphinha will be the number nine if Barcelona do not sign another player. Barcelona cannot sign Kane or Julian, but Raphinha has the aggression to be the first defender when pressing the opponent, and he makes constant runs without the ball,” Maldini told Spanish newspaper Sport.

The Brazilian has already been used in that position during pre-season, making him an internal option who is familiar with Barcelona’s current squad and ideas. Maldini believes Raphinha’s ability to lead a high press, move continuously behind defenders and contribute to the build-up could allow him to adapt to manager Hansi Flick’s tactical approach.

Barcelona’s financial and sporting circumstances are also making it difficult to find a forward capable of making an immediate impact. The club are understood not to have a clearly defined alternative plan in the transfer market, despite the emergence of several other names.

Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez has been mentioned as another possible target, while German striker Nicolo Tresoldi has also been considered. Despite those discussions, confidence remains in the current squad, strengthened by the arrivals of Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon.

Maldini sees Tresoldi, who is 22, as a different type of option and compared his profile with that of former Barcelona striker Luuk de Jong.

“He is a top-level striker. I would sign an out-and-out forward for certain minutes, someone capable of scoring goals from crosses,” Maldini said.

That assessment suggests Barcelona could still consider signing a more traditional centre-forward, even if Raphinha is used as the main alternative to Alvarez. Tresoldi would provide a different attacking profile, particularly in situations where the team need a focal point in the penalty area and a player able to threaten from deliveries into the box.

For now, though, Atletico’s refusal to negotiate means Alvarez’s move to Barcelona appears increasingly difficult. With no clear back-up deal established and the club facing financial and sporting constraints, Raphinha’s pre-season performances have given Barcelona a possible solution from within their own squad.