Barcelona’s forward search takes fresh twist as Fisnik Asllani heads for Leipzig

Barcelona are set to miss out on Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani, with the 23-year-old close to completing a move to RB Leipzig as the Catalan club’s pursuit of Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez becomes increasingly complicated.

Barcelona are looking to strengthen their attack before the new season and have identified Alvarez, 26, as a major target. However, Atletico Madrid have shown no willingness to sell the Argentina international, leaving the player with a central role to play if he is to secure a transfer to Camp Nou.

Alvarez travelled to Madrid on Tuesday to meet his agent, Fernando Hidalgo. The immediate challenge for Barcelona is now to persuade Atletico Madrid to allow the striker to leave, despite the club’s apparent determination to keep him.

The uncertainty surrounding that deal has been accompanied by a setback elsewhere in Barcelona’s attacking plans. Asllani, who has been linked with a possible move to the Spanish club, is now very close to joining fellow Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

According to Mundo Deportivo, citing several German media reports, Asllani is due to undergo a medical with his new club on Thursday. The transfer is expected to be formally announced once those procedures have been completed.

Asllani was seen at a hotel in Salzburg on Wednesday while waiting for the initial steps of the move to be finalised. The transfer fee is estimated to be between 25m and 30m euros, subject to official confirmation.

The striker is expected to sign a five-year contract with RB Leipzig, keeping him at the club until 2031. Unless there is an unexpected development, Asllani will therefore continue his career in the German league rather than move to Barcelona.

Asllani has previously expressed his support for Barcelona. Images of him as a child wearing a Barcelona shirt have also emerged, adding to the interest surrounding the possibility of him joining the club.

That apparent personal connection is unlikely to influence the outcome of the transfer, however, with RB Leipzig now positioned to secure his signature. The deal would remove one of the attacking options associated with Barcelona as they continue to assess how best to reinforce their forward line.

The club’s interest in Alvarez remains complicated by Atletico Madrid’s stance, and the player may need to take action himself if he is to have a chance of wearing a Barcelona shirt. At present, there is no indication that Atletico Madrid are prepared to make the move straightforward.

With Asllani on course for a medical and formal announcement at RB Leipzig, Barcelona have lost the chance to pursue one of the Bundesliga forwards linked with a summer switch. Their attention remains focused on Alvarez, but that proposed transfer still depends on developments between the player, his representatives and Atletico Madrid.