Barcelona Expands Search for No.9 as Álvarez Deal Stalls

Barcelona’s hunt for the heir to Robert Lewandowski is starting to sprawl across Europe. Julián Álvarez remains the name circled in red at the top of their list, but the Spanish champions are already working on escape routes. One of them leads to the south coast of England and a 20-year-old rising quickly through the Premier League: Eli Junior Kroupi.

A source has told ESPN that Barça have sounded out Bournemouth over the French forward, exploring whether there is any room to negotiate. There may not be much. Bournemouth, already braced for interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs, are reluctant to let him go and are expected to demand well over €100 million if they are pushed to the table.

That price reflects how quickly Kroupi has accelerated. Signed from Lorient just last summer for €15m, the France U21 international erupted in his first season in England, scoring 13 goals in 35 games and dragging himself into the conversation for Europe’s next big-money centre-forward.

Barça’s need is obvious. Lewandowski has departed for Chicago Fire, ending an era and leaving a sizeable hole at the tip of Hansi Flick’s attack. Anthony Gordon has arrived from Newcastle United, Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, but neither is the pure penalty-box No.9 the club wants to anchor the next phase of this team.

Álvarez, currently with Atlético Madrid, is that player in Barcelona’s eyes. President Joan Laporta has already gone public: an offer has been lodged. It was rejected. The Argentina striker, who told ESPN in June that he wants to leave Atlético, remains the preferred option, and Laporta insists the bid is still on the table – though not indefinitely. Atlético know time is on their side. Barcelona know it isn’t.

So the net widens. As talks with Atlético stall, Barça have begun testing the market, and Kroupi’s name has moved from background noise to genuine alternative. For now, it is only an enquiry, a question about availability and price rather than a formal move. The answer from Bournemouth is clear enough: they do not want to sell, and if they are forced to consider it, the fee will be enormous.

Flick, preparing for his third season in charge after back-to-back LaLiga titles and repeated frustration in the Champions League, is determined to reshape his forward line. Gordon offers vertical threat and aggression from wide areas. Adeyemi brings pace and chaos between the lines. Lewandowski has gone to MLS, Marcus Rashford has returned to Manchester United after his loan spell, and the attack that once revolved around a classic No.9 is being rebuilt almost from scratch.

There is uncertainty elsewhere too. Ferran Torres, the man who scored Spain’s winning goal in the World Cup final against Argentina, faces an unclear future as the club weigh his role and value in a squad under constant financial scrutiny and tactical evolution.

So Barcelona keep pushing on two fronts. Wait and hope that Atlético soften on Álvarez, the chosen successor. Or pay a premium to prise Kroupi away after just one season in England, gambling big on potential rather than proven pedigree at the very top level.

One way or another, someone will have to step into Lewandowski’s old space at the Camp Nou. The only question now is whether it will be the established Argentine finisher or the young Frenchman Bournemouth are fighting to keep.