Barcelona is evaluating plans to find a Lewandowski replacement since his contract is about to end, and Julian Alvarez, the 2022 World Cup champion worth 100 million Euros, is their primary target.
Less than a month after the summer 2025 transfer window closed, Barcelona has already started preparing for the next season. The club’s main concern is the striker position, as Robert Lewandowski’s contract will expire in June 2026.
Recently, Ferran Torres has been tested in the number 9 role and performed quite impressively. However, Barca’s management remains cautious and continues to monitor the market for a long-term replacement option.
According to The Athletic, the name Blaugrana are focusing on is Julian Alvarez, forward for Atletico Madrid and the Argentina national team. President Joan Laporta is reportedly a big admirer of this striker. In the 2024/25 season, Alvarez made a strong impression at Atletico in his first year after transferring from Manchester City for a fee reaching 100 million Euros.
At 25 years old, Alvarez is highly regarded not only for his goal-scoring ability but also for his hardworking style, intelligent movement, and versatility. These qualities are what Barca believes can make their attack more flexible and effective in the future.
However, the biggest obstacle is the transfer fee. Alvarez is contracted with Atletico Madrid until summer 2030, meaning any deal would be extremely costly. Given Barca’s still unstable financial situation, spending a huge amount on Alvarez is far from easy.
Nevertheless, experts believe Barca will closely monitor Alvarez’s situation at Riyadh Air Metropolitano. If the opportunity arises, the Catalan club could see him as a blockbuster signing to replace Lewandowski, who is now past the peak of his career.
Clearly, Barcelona is preparing for a major transition in their attack. Julian Alvarez is likely to be the centerpiece of the club’s squad rebuilding plan, aiming to restore the legacy of one of La Liga’s most historic clubs.