Barcelona's Search for a New No. 9: Alvarez Off the Table

Barcelona’s pursuit of a new No. 9 has hit a wall. And the name at the centre of it is all but gone.

Julian Alvarez, the forward identified as a priority target, is now considered “99% off the table” as Atletico Madrid dig in and refuse to open the door. With no sign of the situation softening, Barcelona are being pushed towards a reluctant conclusion: Alvarez will not be leading their line this summer.

That leaves Hansi Flick and the sporting department staring at a crucial decision in a window that was always supposed to deliver a striker. The need has not changed. Barcelona still want a centre-forward who brings goals, movement and a different attacking angle in the final third. The profile is clear. The solution is not.

Inside the club, several names have already been discussed. Some are established stars, others younger bets with room to grow. None is straightforward.

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

Georges Mikautadze has emerged as one of the more serious alternatives, largely because he has a powerful supporter in Deco.

The Villarreal striker comes off an eye-catching 2025/26 campaign: 15 goals, six assists, and a growing reputation as a complete attacking threat. Those numbers, backed by consistent performances, have reportedly convinced Deco that Mikautadze could add real value to Barcelona’s front line.

But the enthusiasm is not universal.

Flick is unconvinced. The coach is said to have reservations about whether Mikautadze truly fits his idea of a Barcelona No. 9 and “does not see it clearly” at this stage. That split matters. Any major signing in this market will require alignment between the bench and the boardroom, especially with the financial strain the club still carries.

The price only sharpens the debate. Villarreal would likely demand at least €70 million. For a player the manager is not fully sold on, that turns Mikautadze into a complicated, politically charged option, no matter how much Deco admires him.

Viktor Gyokeres: ready-made scorer, heavyweight cost

Viktor Gyokeres offers something very different.

The Swedish striker is entering his prime and has become one of Europe’s most reliable finishers. If Arsenal reshape their attacking plans, a window could open for Barcelona to move, but any deal would be expensive from the first conversation.

Gyokeres is not just a penalty-box poacher. He drifts wide, attacks space, drives with the ball and can create chances for others. Those traits fit neatly with Flick’s aggressive, direct attacking style, which demands forwards who can run, combine and hurt teams in transition as well as in settled attacks.

There are still questions. His link-up play at the very highest level is not considered flawless. But his goalscoring record is hard to argue with.

The real problem is the package. Barcelona would be paying for a striker expected to deliver from day one, not one they can ease into the side. Transfer fee and wages together would likely make Gyokeres one of the most expensive options on the table. In a tight financial context, that is a serious hurdle.

Lautaro Martinez: perfect on the pitch, near-impossible off it

Whenever Barcelona look for a striker, Lautaro Martinez’s name resurfaces. This summer is no different.

The club have already made an enquiry about the Inter Milan captain’s situation. It went no further. Inter see Lautaro as central to their project, one of their most important players, and have given no sign they are interested in selling.

That stance turns any operation into a near-impossible negotiation.

From a sporting angle, there is little to debate. At 28, Lautaro still has several elite years ahead of him. He guarantees goals, brings experience and has shown repeatedly he can perform in major games. For Flick, he would tick almost every box.

But to prise him away from Inter would demand a massive fee, a huge salary and a willingness to fight through a long, hostile negotiation. In pure football terms, Lautaro is one of the best fits on the list. In financial and political terms, he is arguably the toughest deal of all.

Victor Osimhen: explosive, expensive, and on every radar

Victor Osimhen is the most explosive option Barcelona are weighing up.

The Nigerian striker remains on the radar of Europe’s biggest clubs, while Saudi Arabian sides have already demonstrated they are prepared to throw extraordinary sums at him. Recent reports of Galatasaray rejecting a €150 million offer from Al-Hilal for the 27-year-old underline the kind of money involved in any chase for his signature.

Arsenal have also been linked, and the appeal is obvious. Osimhen offers raw pace, power, aerial dominance and a constant threat in front of goal. His ability to attack space would be devastating in a Barcelona side that spends long stretches camped in the opposition half, drawing teams out and then punishing any gap left behind.

But then comes the reality check.

The transfer fee would be enormous. The salary would be too. To land Osimhen, Barcelona would likely need to commit to one of the biggest financial outlays of their current project. The question inside the club is simple and brutal: is he worth that level of risk in their current economic state?

Nicolo Tresoldi: the wildcard bet

Nicolo Tresoldi sits at the other end of the spectrum.

The 21-year-old German forward, currently at Club Brugge, does not yet carry the global profile of the other names, but his age, frame and output make him an intriguing option. In 2025/26, he scored 23 goals in 58 matches across all competitions, a strong return for a young striker still learning the game.

At 6ft 1in, Tresoldi offers physical presence, but he is far from a finished product. His contract with Club Brugge runs until 2029, and he is reportedly valued at around €45-50 million. That is still a serious investment for a player without extensive experience at the highest level.

Barcelona have already made contacts over a possible move. It would be a gamble, no question. But unlike the Lautaro, Osimhen or Gyokeres scenarios, this is a bet on potential as much as immediate output.

If Flick and the sporting hierarchy believe Tresoldi’s development can accelerate inside their structure, he could grow into a long-term solution at No. 9 rather than just a short-term fix.

For now, Alvarez is slipping away, and the market is closing in. Barcelona know they cannot afford to get this decision wrong.