Barcelona Targets Julian Alvarez and Dusan Vlahovic to Replace Robert Lewandowski
JAKARTA - Barcelona is increasingly looking for a striker to replace Robert Lewandowski this summer. Julian Alvarez and Dusan Vlahovic are among their targets.
Lewandowski, 37, will run out of contract in June 2026. Although there has been no decision on his future after that, Barcelona has begun to plan for a future without the Polish player.
Launching ESPN, Barcelona President Joan Laporta, still dreams of completing a deal with Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, who he considers an ideal recruit. However, the Blaugrana's Sports Director, Deco, is evaluating options with a lower cost.
The deal for Alvarez is likely to be complicated. The reason is, Atletico Madrid is expected to ask for more than 100 million euros (about Rp1.9 trillion) for the striker. There may also be competition to get the Argentine's signature from other big European clubs.
ESPN revealed last week that Premier League leaders Arsenal were also among the clubs exploring the possibility of signing Alvarez.
As such, Deco is considering alternative candidates who may be available to fill the void left by Lewandowski, including Juventus striker Vlahovic.
The Serbian striker was on Barcelona's radar even before his move to Juventus from Fiorentina in 2022, but the fact that his contract expires in June 2026 makes him an extremely attractive option for the LaLiga club this summer.
Vlahovic is currently out due to a groin injury. However, before being absent, he had scored six goals and provided two assists in 17 appearances in all competitions for the Turin club.
The 25-year-old striker has also expressed his desire to leave Juventus some time ago.
Meanwhile, Alvarez is a player who has been monitored by Barcelona for years, even before his transfer to Manchester City, when the Blaugrana's talent scouts in South America recommended his recruitment.
Although the cost involved in the deal is huge, there is still a long way to go in the competition to recruit Alvarez. Many things can happen, but Barcelona is still paying attention to the situation.
Alvarez, who has scored 11 goals in 29 games this season, has a contract with Atletico Madrid until 2030. While his release clause reaches 500 million euros (around Rp9.9 trillion).