Barcelona target Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis as attacking plans gather pace

Barcelona are considering a move for Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis as they continue negotiations for Julian Alvarez and assess alternatives to strengthen their attack ahead of next season.

The Greek forward has emerged as one of the options being examined by Barcelona sporting director Deco, according to Spanish newspaper AS. Pavlidis is not currently the club’s first choice, but his goalscoring record, technical qualities and relatively modest cost have made him an appealing possibility should a deal for Alvarez prove difficult to complete.

Barcelona’s need for another attacking player has increased after Eli Junior Kroupi suffered a serious foot injury. The player is expected to be out for between three and four months after breaking a metatarsal, leaving the Catalan club under pressure to add depth to its forward line.

Pavlidis has also strengthened his case with a spectacular performance this week, scoring four goals against Swiss side St Gallen in the qualifying rounds for the Europa League. That display has returned the 27-year-old to the attention of clubs across Europe and further highlighted his ability to lead an attack.

The striker enjoyed an impressive first season with Benfica after joining the Portuguese club from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar for 18m euros in 2024. Across all competitions last season, he scored 30 goals and provided six assists in 53 appearances.

His name already carries a notable connection with Barcelona supporters. During last season’s Champions League group-stage meeting in Lisbon, Pavlidis scored three times in only 29 minutes against the Catalan side.

That made him the fastest player to score a hat-trick against Barcelona in European competition. Benfica ultimately lost the match 5-4, but Pavlidis’ performance ensured the game became one of the most memorable of his career and left a lasting impression at Camp Nou.

Any move for Pavlidis could also depend on the future of Ferran Torres. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick continues to trust the Spain international, while the club is seeking to renew his contract. However, if Torres were to leave during the current transfer window, Deco would have greater room to operate in the transfer market.

The club’s immediate priority remains its pursuit of Alvarez, with talks continuing over a potential agreement for the Argentina international. Pavlidis is therefore viewed as a back-up plan rather than Barcelona’s preferred target.

Even so, his form, experience in European competition and apparent financial accessibility could make him a practical solution if the negotiations for Alvarez fail. His four-goal display against St Gallen, added to the hat-trick he scored against Barcelona last season, has ensured that Benfica’s forward remains firmly on Deco’s list as the club weighs up its attacking options.