Barcelona’s striker hunt revealed: Inside the six forwards on their radar — from free gems to world-class stars
WANDERLUSTSPORT has looked at the six alternatives being seriously evaluated in Catalonia, as Barcelona has been connected to many elite strikers in their quest to replace Robert Lewandowski.
With 42 goals in 52 games last season, Lewandowski continued to defy his age as Barcelona achieved an incredible domestic treble and advanced to the Champions League semifinals.
Real Madrid was completely overpowered by Barcelona, who defeated them four times during the season, including twice in the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana finals.
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Lewandowski has scored four goals in nine games this season. However, a hamstring injury is predicted to keep the Polish star out of this weekend’s El Clasico, marking his second injury of the season.
At 37 years old, Lewandowski’s age may now be catching up with him, which worries Barca.
In June, Lewandowski’s contract comes to an end. Deco, the director of sports, maintains that no definitive decision has been taken over whether to extend his contract or sign a new centre forward.
However, the fact that Barca has been strongly linked to a number of strikers throughout Europe raises the possibility that this will be Lewandowski’s last season with the team.
Although Ferran Torres would adore taking over, Barca will probably consider their possibilities in the transfer market before deciding to depend entirely on the Spaniard.
Barca may spend heavily next summer, but they are not anticipated to make any significant purchases in January (you can read our explanation of the 1:1 rule and how it impacts them here).
In light of Alexander Isak’s difficulties at Liverpool, Hansi Flick’s team has been speculatively connected to a spectacular move for him. However, we choose to examine six more reasonable options instead.
6) Karl Etta Eyong (Levante)
Etta Eyong, the sixth choice on this list, is somewhat of a wild card. He is having a breakthrough season in La Liga at the young age of 22.
He has scored five league goals for Levante so far this season, and only Mbappe and Alvarez have scored more.
If both clubs approached Etta Eyong, according to Sport, he would choose Barcelona over Manchester United.
Although Madrid has also been mentioned as a possible suitor, Barca is believed to be the front-runner for the Cameroonian.
He has a €30 million (£26 million) release clause in his Levante contract. However, Barca is hoping to get him for a discounted price of about €15 million (£13 million).
Although Etta Eyong has a lot of potential, he is still a raw talent who needs to grow.
Right now, Vlahovic seems like Barca’s best chance, but Samu might also become a serious contender to take Lewandowski’s place.
5) Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
Barcelona may try to sign a player like Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, or Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Madrid is great at using the transfer market to get good players for nothing.
Vlahovic has more than 130 goals in his career and has won trophies in Serbia and Italy, but he is not as good as Mbappe.
He could be acquired by Barca for no transfer fee because his Juventus contract expires at the end of the current campaign and he is not anticipated to extend.
Deco would save money that might be used for other squad areas and future-proof the No. 9 position with such a move.
Although Vlahovic has fallen short of expectations since joining Juventus for £66.6 million, he is still considered a top European striker who may succeed in the correct setting.
Additionally, he would feel less pressure if he moved on a free transfer. Tuttosport, an Italian newspaper, said last week that Barca was interested in the Serbian star.
Vlahovic has high salary expectations, but Barca would have more than enough money to cover them if Lewandowski left.
In order to acquire Vlahovic, Barca would have to repel Premier League teams. Both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in the 25-year-old.
4) Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
The next player on the list is Guirassy, a Guinean who merely moved from Stuttgart to Borussia Dortmund in July 2024. Guirassy’s scoring record is really impressive.
He scored 13 of his 38 goals in the Champions League the previous season, and he has since scored six goals in nine games across all competitions this season.
The 29-year-old Guirassy is the oldest player Barca is considering to replace Lewandowski, but his incredible stats indicate he might make a fantastic addition.
In September, Mundo Deportivo acknowledged that Barca had expressed interest in Guirassy.
According to Sky Germany, Barca will get an opportunity next year as his €75 million (£65 million) departure clause is expected to reduce dramatically.
Seeing Barcelona as the ideal next step in his career, the former Lille and FC Koln player would seize the opportunity to join them.
3) Samu Aghehowa (Porto FC)
As he considers making a firm approach for the Spain international, Deco is said to have dispatched spies to observe Samu in action for Porto.
Prior to joining Porto in August of last year for €15 million, Samu was on Atleti’s books but never played competitively for the team.
Samu has scored eight goals in his first nine games in Portugal, giving him a fantastic start.
The 21-year-old is a quick and physically powerful attacker who thrives at making deft runs behind opposing defenders. In the past, he has been likened to players like Victor Osimhen and Didier Drogba.
On October 8, rumours circulated that Barca would challenge Spurs for Samu’s services, which TEAMtalk has verified.
Spurs have been scouting the youngster as part of their long-term intentions to bolster their attack, as we disclosed last month.
Although his contract includes a massive €100 million (£87 million) release clause, it is rumoured that Barca may attempt to acquire him for a reduced price of about €60 million (£52 million).
After stints at Granada, Atleti, and Alaves, Samu would adore the opportunity to return to Spain and play for one of the top teams in the world.
2) Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Laporta believes Haaland, a goal machine for City, is another very elite striker who can return Barcelona to the top of the European football league.
Given that Kylian Mbappe is now Los Blancos’ main striker, reports in the Spanish press indicate that if Haaland decided to leave City, he would choose Barcelona over Real Madrid.
According to City manager Pep Guardiola, a number of teams are interested in Haaland, including his old squad, Barcelona.
The Norway star “isn’t unwise enough,” Guardiola added, to quit City when his contract expires in the summer of 2034.
City is in a very strong negotiation position because of that enormous deal, and Haaland’s price tag may even surpass Alvarez’s.
Furthermore, according to reports, Haaland is content at City right now and isn’t looking for a move.
His dream of playing in Spain has been put off till the end of his career since City was able to keep him locked down for so long. With 11 of City’s 17 league goals this season, Haaland is currently in incredible form.
1) Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
According to a number of Spanish sources, Barca wants to replace Lewandowski with Atletico Madrid striker Alvarez.
The Argentina star can do it everything, from providing his teammates with outstanding assists to scoring amazing long-range goals.
Sport reported on September 30 that Alvarez is doing so well that he has even surpassed City’s Erling Haaland on Barca president Joan Laporta’s want list.
Despite the turmoil surrounding that possible transfer, Barca believes Alvarez would be receptive to joining them from Atleti since he wants to follow in the footsteps of his legendary compatriot Lionel Messi.
Although the 25-year-old is “settled” at Atleti, his departure from City demonstrates that he may have his “head turned” when big clubs approach, according to TEAMtalk transfer insider Dean Jones on October 2.
As things go now, I think cost would be the problem for Barcelona. Alvarez was signed by Atleti for €95 million (then £82 million), and his worth has subsequently increased dramatically.
If Atleti wanted to sell their superstar for an outrageous €200 million (£174 million), especially to a bitter rival like Barca, it wouldn’t be shocking. This brings us to the second “dream” option for Barca.
