Barcelona’s long-term planning for a striker may be facing an unexpected setback, as fresh reports from Fichajes suggest that Chelsea are preparing an enormous offer, close to €150 million, for Julian Alvarez.
The Argentine forward has been viewed as the ideal successor to Robert Lewandowski, but the Premier League side’s financial power could place the Catalans in a very difficult position.
Alvarez’s rise over the last few seasons has been nothing short of spectacular. Currently tied to Atletico Madrid until 2030, he has become one of the most influential attackers in Europe.
As such, Barça have monitored him closely for months, seeing him as a modern No. 9 capable of impacting every phase of the attacking game.
This season alone, Alvarez has scored nine goals and four assists across La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
Lewandowski’s ideal successor
Barcelona believe that Alvarez fits perfectly into a long-term sporting project, particularly given the club’s need to find a reliable successor to Lewandowski.
Chelsea are ready to rival Barcelona for Julian Alvarez. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
However, the financial reality at the Camp Nou remains a major obstacle.
Competing with a Premier League powerhouse like Chelsea, especially on a €150 million deal, simply is not feasible unless Barça make significant sales and free up registration space under Financial Fair Play rules.
For Atletico Madrid, the situation is far from simple.
While an offer of that magnitude is difficult to ignore, losing such a central piece of their squad would damage their attacking structure and force them into a complicated search for a replacement.
Barcelona, meanwhile, remain highly attentive. The Catalans continue to see Alvarez as a dream signing, but one that can only materialise if other departures create the financial capacity required.