Barcelona's Striker Search: Options After Alvarez

Barcelona’s pursuit of a new No. 9 has hit its first major setback of the summer. Julian Alvarez, long marked in red ink at the top of their list, is now considered “99% off the table”, and the club is being pushed into a rethink it did not want.

Atletico Madrid have dug in. They are not opening the door, not even a crack, and there is no sign of that stance softening. Inside the club, there is growing acceptance that Alvarez will not be wearing Blaugrana colours this summer.

So the question lands squarely on Hansi Flick’s desk and the sporting department’s table: if not Alvarez, then who?

Barcelona still see a centre-forward as a priority. They want goals, constant movement, someone who can stretch defences and change the geometry of the final third. Replacing a profile like Alvarez, though, is not as simple as picking the next name on a list.

Several options have already been discussed. Some are established stars, others are younger bets with upside. None are straightforward.

Georges Mikautadze: Deco’s choice, Flick’s doubt

Inside the club, Georges Mikautadze has emerged as one of the more serious alternatives. Deco likes him. A lot.

The Villarreal striker is coming off a strong 2025/26 campaign: 15 goals, six assists, and performances that have convinced the sporting director he could bring a sharp edge to Barcelona’s attack.

But Flick is not sold. Not yet.

The coach is reported to have doubts about the fit and “does not see it clearly” at this stage. That split matters. A signing of this scale needs alignment between the bench and the boardroom, especially with the numbers involved.

Villarreal are not giving him away. Any deal is expected to cost at least €70 million. For a player the manager is unconvinced by, that fee turns Mikautadze from opportunity into risk. Deco’s admiration is clear, but without Flick’s full backing, this path looks complicated.

Viktor Gyokeres: goals, power – and a heavy price

Viktor Gyokeres would be a very different kind of bet.

The Swedish striker is entering his prime and has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most reliable scorers. His situation could open up depending on how Arsenal shape their attack, but even then, he would not come cheap.

Gyokeres is not just a penalty-box poacher. He drifts wide, attacks space, drives at defenders and can create for others. On paper, that blend of power and mobility fits Flick’s aggressive, direct attacking ideas.

There are still doubts. Some at the top level question how consistently he can link play and operate in tight spaces against elite defences. His goalscoring record, though, is hard to argue with.

The real issue is financial. Gyokeres would arrive as a finished product, not a long-term project, and would command a fee and salary that place him among the most expensive options on Barcelona’s radar. Any move for him would be a statement that the club want instant impact, not gradual evolution.

Lautaro Martinez: ideal on the pitch, almost impossible off it

Whenever Barcelona start hunting for a striker, Lautaro Martinez’s name inevitably resurfaces.

The Inter Milan captain has once again been the subject of enquiries from the Catalan club. That is as far as it has gone. Inter have no incentive to make this easy.

Lautaro remains central to their sporting project and is one of their key leaders. There is no sign the Italian champions are actively looking to sell, which turns any potential deal into a negotiation of extreme difficulty.

From a footballing standpoint, the fit is obvious. At 28, Lautaro is in his prime, brings proven goals, experience and a track record of delivering in big matches. For Flick, he would tick almost every box.

But between Inter’s stance and the financial demands of such an operation, this is likely one of the toughest deals Barcelona could even attempt. Ideal in theory, near-impossible in practice.

Victor Osimhen: the blockbuster option

If Barcelona want pure explosiveness, Victor Osimhen sits at the top of the list.

The Nigerian striker continues to attract interest from Europe’s elite, while Saudi Arabian clubs have shown they are ready to throw huge sums at him. One recent report even claimed Galatasaray turned down a €150 million offer from Al-Hilal for the 27-year-old.

Arsenal have also been linked, and the reasons are obvious. Osimhen offers pace, power, aerial threat and a relentless presence in the box. His ability to attack space would make him a terrifying outlet in a Barcelona side that often pins opponents deep.

The problem is as clear as his qualities: cost.

Any move for Osimhen would demand a massive transfer fee and a top-tier salary. To sign him, Barcelona would effectively decide to make him one of the defining investments of their current project. The question is whether the club are ready – or able – to go that far for one player.

Nicolo Tresoldi: the wildcard bet

At the other end of the spectrum sits Nicolo Tresoldi, the wildcard in this search.

The 21-year-old German forward at Club Brugge does not yet carry the star power of the other names, but his age, frame and numbers make him a serious topic of discussion.

In 2025/26, Tresoldi played 58 matches in all competitions and scored 23 goals. At 6ft 1in, he brings physical presence, yet still has clear room to grow.

His contract runs until 2029, and Brugge value him at around €45-50 million. That is not cheap, especially for a player without top-level experience in a major league, and any move would be a calculated gamble. Barcelona have already made contacts, aware that they would be paying for what he could become as much as what he is now.

Compared with Lautaro, Osimhen or Gyokeres, Tresoldi represents a different kind of commitment: investing in potential while still expecting immediate contribution. If Flick and the sporting hierarchy are convinced his development can accelerate in Barcelona’s environment, he might be the long-term solution to the No. 9 problem.

For now, though, the reality is blunt. Julian Alvarez is slipping away, the market is expensive, and every path comes with its own risk. Barcelona know they need a striker. The real test is whether they can find the right one without compromising the rest of their project.