Barcelona have identified Sporting CP forward Luis Suarez as a possible alternative to Julian Alvarez if they are unable to complete a deal for the Atletico de Madrid striker during the current summer transfer window.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Suarez has been added to Barcelona’s shortlist as the club continues to monitor the situation surrounding Alvarez. The move represents a new option for Barcelona as they prepare for the possibility that negotiations with Atletico de Madrid will not progress.
“Exclusive… Barcelona have placed Luis Suarez, Sporting’s striker, among the options being considered if the Julian Alvarez deal fails,” Romano wrote on his account on the social media platform X.
Suarez is understood to be a serious candidate on Barcelona’s list, although any attempt to sign him would also be difficult. The forward is a regular starter for Sporting CP, meaning the Portuguese club may be reluctant to allow him to leave.
“It will not be easy, given that Suarez is a starter for Sporting, but he is on Barcelona’s shortlist,” Romano added.
Barcelona are expected to review their options from next week if the proposed transfer for Alvarez remains at a standstill. Romano said the club would consider pursuing Suarez or exploring other targets from Monday onwards, should there be no breakthrough in the talks.
“Barcelona will study the signing of Suarez or other options from next week, which starts on Monday, if the Julian Alvarez deal remains stalled,” he said.
The Catalan club’s priority remains Alvarez, but Atletico de Madrid are refusing to enter negotiations with Barcelona over a possible move to Spotify Camp Nou this summer. That position has prompted Barcelona to look at alternative forwards in case their preferred deal cannot be revived.
Alvarez, who plays for Atletico de Madrid, is therefore at the centre of Barcelona’s current transfer plans, while Suarez has emerged as a potential replacement rather than an already agreed target. The Sporting forward’s inclusion on the shortlist gives Barcelona another name to assess, although the reported difficulty of removing him from the Portuguese side’s starting line-up could complicate any approach.
No agreement has been reached for either player. Barcelona will decide whether to continue pursuing Alvarez, move for Suarez or turn to other options if the situation remains unresolved when the club reviews its plans next week.