Five striker options Barcelona are considering after Julian Alvarez deal collapses

Five striker options Barcelona are considering after Julian Alvarez deal collapses Barcelona’s plans to sign Julian Alvarez have suffered a major blow, forcing the club to turn its attention towards alternative options in the transfer market. The Atletico Madrid forward had emerged as a priority target as Barcelona looked to strengthen the No. 9 position, but the operation is now believed to be “99% off the table” .  With Atletico Madrid unwilling to make the deal easy and the situation showing little sign of changing, the Blaugrana may have to accept that Alvarez will not be arriving this summer. That leaves Hansi Flick and the Barcelona sporting department with an important decision. Signing a new striker remains high on the club’s agenda, particularly as Barcelona look for a player who can offer goals, movement and a different dimension in the final third.  However, replacing a target such as Alvarez will not be straightforward. Several names have already been discussed internally or linked with Barcelona, ranging from established stars to younger and potentially more affordable options. Here are five players Barcelona are considering as they prepare to reluctantly close the door on the Julian Alvarez transfer. Georges Mikautadze Barcelona have internally discussed Georges Mikautadze. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images) Georges Mikautadze appears to be one of the more seriously discussed alternatives, particularly because he has the backing of Barcelona sporting director Deco . The Villarreal striker enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 season, scoring 15 goals and registering six assists.  Those numbers, combined with his performances, have reportedly convinced Deco that Mikautadze could add something valuable to the Barcelona attack. However, there is a significant obstacle. Hansi Flick is not as convinced by the operation. The Barcelona manager is said to have reservations about whether Mikautadze is the right fit and, at this stage, “does not see it clearly”. That difference of opinion could be decisive, as amajor signing would require sporting agreement between the manager and the club’s decision-makers, particularly given the price involved. Meanwhile, any move for Mikautadze could cost Barcelona at least €70 million, which is a substantial investment for a player Flick is not yet fully sold on, making this a complicated option despite Deco’s apparent admiration. Viktor Gyokeres Viktor Gyokeres would require major financial investment. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Viktor Gyokeres would represent a very different type of signing . The Swedish striker is entering his prime and has established himself as one of the most reliable goalscorers in European football.  He could become an option depending on how Arsenal’s attacking plans develop, although any potential deal would still be expensive. Gyokeres offers more than a traditional penalty-box presence. He is comfortable moving into wider areas, attacking open spaces and carrying the ball towards goal.  He can also create opportunities for teammates, qualities that could suit Flick’s aggressive and direct attacking approach. However, there are questions over parts of his overall game, particularly his ability to consistently link play at the highest level, but his goalscoring record remains difficult to ignore. The biggest issue would be the financial package. Barcelona would be paying for a player expected to make an immediate impact rather than someone who can gradually develop. His transfer fee and salary could make Gyokeres one of the most expensive options on the list. Lautaro Martinez Barcelona recently enquired about Lautaro Martinez. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) Lautaro Martinez is another familiar name when Barcelona’s striker search becomes a talking point. The Inter Milan forward has been linked with the Blaugrana several times over the years, and Barcelona have made an enquiry about his situation.  However, that contact did not develop into concrete negotiations, as Inter have little reason to make his departure easy. Lautaro remains a central figure in their sporting project and one of their most important players.  There has been no indication that the Italian club is actively looking to sell him, which makes any Lautaro Martinez to Barcelona operation extremely difficult. At 28, the Argentine still has several years at the top level ahead of him. He brings proven goals, experience and the ability to perform in major matches. From a sporting perspective, he would be a strong option. From a financial and negotiating perspective, however, he may be one of the most difficult deals Barcelona could attempt. Victor Osimhen Victor Osimhen will be an extremely expensive transfer to pull off. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images) Victor Osimhen would arguably be the most explosive option on this list . The Nigerian striker has continued to attract interest from major clubs across Europe, while Saudi Arabian sides have also reportedly shown a willingness to spend huge sums to secure his signature. In fact, recent reports have suggested that Galatasaray rejected a massive €150 million offer from Al-Hilal for the 27-year-old. Arsenal have also been linked with Osimhen, and it is easy to understand why. He offers pace, power, physical presence and a consistent threat in front of goal.  His ability to attack space could make him particularly dangerous in a Barcelona side that spends large periods of matches in the opposition half. Yet the financial reality could make the operation extremely difficult. Both the transfer fee and salary would require a huge commitment. Barcelona would need to decide whether Osimhen is worth making one of the biggest investments in their current project. Nicolo Tresoldi Nicolo Tresoldi would be a gamble for Barcelona. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) Nicolo Tresoldi could be the wildcard. The 21-year-old German forward, currently playing for Club Brugge, does not carry the same profile as the other names on this list, although his age, physical attributes and recent goalscoring record make him an interesting option. During the 2025/26 season, Tresoldi played 58 matches across all competitions and scored 23 goals. Standing at 6ft 1in, he offers a strong physical presence while still having plenty of room to develop.  His contract with Club Brugge runs until 2029, and he is reportedly valued at around €45-50 million. That price would still represent a serious investment, especially for a player without extensive experience at the very highest level, making Tresoldi, for whom Barcelona have already made contacts , a gamble. But compared with the likes of Lautaro, Osimhen and Gyokeres, Barcelona would be investing in potential as well as immediate output.  If Flick and the sporting department believe his development can continue at a rapid pace, he could become a more long-term solution to the club’s No. 9 problem.