Barcelona intensify striker hunt with Julian Alvarez deal at impasse

Barcelona have stepped up moves for alternative attacking options as protracted negotiations with Atletico Madrid for Julian Alvarez show no sign of a breakthrough.

Head coach Hansi Flick is understood to be pressing for clarity over his squad as soon as possible following the departure of Robert Lewandowski, and does not want the search for a new centre-forward to drag on indefinitely.

Spanish newspaper Marca reports that, while Alvarez remains Barcelona’s first-choice target, the club has begun working seriously on other possibilities because talks with Atletico remain stalled.

Club president Joan Laporta has previously said Barcelona have submitted a “very important” offer to Atletico for the Argentina forward, while warning that the proposal would not remain on the table forever and urging the Madrid club to make a decision on the player’s future.

The deadline set informally within Barcelona is now thought to be close, with Atletico standing firm on their stance and refusing to make it easy for Alvarez to leave.

Atletico expect Alvarez back

Atletico Madrid are planning for Alvarez to report for pre-season training on 10 August, despite being aware of the player’s desire to move to Barcelona.

The striker informed Atletico’s hierarchy in May that he wanted to take on a new challenge with the Catalan club, making his intention to join Barcelona clear weeks before the start of pre-season.

So far, however, Atletico have shown no willingness to soften their position, and there is no agreement in place between the clubs.

Barcelona’s alternative options

Given the difficulty of progressing the Alvarez deal, Barcelona have begun to examine other forwards who could strengthen Flick’s attack.

Top of that list, according to the same report, is Bournemouth striker Junior Kroupi, who is highly rated by both the Barcelona board and the German coach.

Any move for Kroupi would be complicated in its own right. Bournemouth currently consider the player not for sale, and his valuation is believed to be around €130m, a figure that would represent a major outlay for Barcelona.

Barcelona have also made enquiries over the situation of Chelsea forward Joao Pedro. However, signing the Brazilian is likewise regarded as problematic because he is under contract with the Premier League club until June 2033, leaving Chelsea in a strong position to reject approaches.

Alvarez still the priority

Despite opening channels over multiple alternatives, Barcelona continue to treat Alvarez as their primary target for the number nine role.

The club are hopeful that the player’s determination to move to Camp Nou – and the pressure that could create – might eventually persuade Atletico Madrid to reconsider their stance and engage more constructively in negotiations.

For now, Barcelona are attempting to balance Flick’s need for a settled squad with their insistence that Alvarez is the ideal profile to replace Lewandowski, while keeping contingency plans alive in case Atletico’s position does not change.