Barcelona are reportedly weighing up the possibility of signing 21-year-old Argentine forward Julian Alvarez in the January transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Julian Alvarez has emerged on the radar of Barcelona over a move in the January transfer window. The Argentine forward has been branded as the “new Higuain” in his homeland after a terrific 2021 season with River Plate.
Julian Alvarez is slowly but surely starting to become a household name across Europe on the back of a stunning 2021 season with River Plate. Part of the Argentine club for over half a decade, the 21-year-old made gradual progress in recent years but has come into his own this term, with 21 goals and 13 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
His exploits have also earned the player his big break with the Argentine national side this year. At the same time, Alvarez has also been popping up on the radars of some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid, with whom he spent some time as a trialist before being unable to join them due to age restrictions. And the latest club to join the race to sign him are Barcelona.
The Catalan giants are being forced into the transfer market for a striker heading into the January window as Sergio Aguero has been diagnosed with a heart condition that will require specific treatment. There had even been rumours that Aguero could retire, although those suggestions have been quashed.
Nonetheless, in the absence of Aguero, Xavi has Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong as the only recognised strikers remaining at his disposal. With neither being good enough to lead the line regularly for Barcelona, the new manager must oversee the signing of a striker this winter.
To that end, several centre-forwards have been linked with Barcelona in recent weeks, and the report claims that they would prefer signing someone who is experienced. One such player who falls into this category is Edinson Cavani, with the Blaugrana reportedly in talks to sign the Manchester United striker.
However, if Barcelona cannot land someone experienced, they will turn their attention towards a striker with a burgeoning reputation. To that end, Arthur Cabral is a viable target, with Barcelona reportedly ready to pay €20 million to sign him. And Alvarez, who is viewed as the “new Higuain” in his homeland, also falls in the same category.
So, any move for Alvarez will majorly depend on whether the Catalan giants can sign strikers like Cavani or Timo Werner in January. It remains to be seen as to which striker ends up arriving at Barcelona this winter.
