Barcelona are ready to abandon plans to sign a new striker during the current transfer window unless they can secure Julian Alvarez from Atletico de Madrid, according to Catalunya Radio.
The Catalan club had previously intended to strengthen its centre-forward options, with head coach Hansi Flick repeatedly making clear that he wanted greater depth in the position. However, Barcelona have now changed their approach and are understood to be unwilling to bring in a traditional number nine unless a deal for Alvarez becomes possible.
The club reportedly has two alternative targets in reserve, but neither is considered sufficiently convincing to make Barcelona proceed with a signing. As a result, the attacking department may remain largely unchanged for the rest of the transfer window if the Argentina international cannot be recruited.
Barcelona’s position represents a shift from the earlier expectation that Flick’s squad would be reinforced at the head of the attack. The manager had spoken on several occasions about the need to improve the forward position, but the club’s current plan appears to depend heavily on whether an agreement for Alvarez can be reached.
Alvarez is the preferred option under the revised strategy, while the two backup possibilities have not generated the same level of confidence within Barcelona. Rather than committing to one of those alternatives, the club would apparently prefer to continue with the attacking players already available to Flick.
A number of Barcelona’s forwards are capable of operating at the tip of the attack, meaning the team has several players who can cover the role when required. Nevertheless, there is only one specialist centre-forward in the squad: 18-year-old new arrival Hamza Abdelkarim.
That leaves Barcelona with a clear choice as the window develops. They can pursue a move for Alvarez, or they can decide that none of the other available options justifies a transfer and keep their current group of attackers.
The club’s reported stance also places added importance on the flexibility of its existing forwards. Although several players can fill in as the most advanced attacker, Hamza Abdelkarim is the only member of the squad described as a specialist in that position.
For now, Barcelona’s intention to add a new number nine is therefore conditional rather than certain. Unless their pursuit of Alvarez progresses, the Catalan side may finish the transfer window without signing the additional striker that Flick had previously wanted.
