With Atletico Madrid resisting Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez, the Catalan giants must consider three cost-effective strikers.
Barcelona are preparing one final push to sign Julian Alvarez, but a deal with Atletico Madrid remains difficult. The Blaugrana have already seen an offer of around €100 million rejected, while Atletico continue to insist that their star forward is not for sale.
Barcelona are reportedly ready to improve their proposal, but Arsenal;s presence in the race makes the situation even more complicated.
Alvarez is also prepared to put pressure on Atletico Madrid in a professional manner. The Argentine wants to join Barcelona and is willing to do everything in his power to make it happen. However, if the Colchoneros continue to refuse to negotiate, the Catalan club will need to activate their alternative plan.
They need a striker who can replace Robert Lewandowski while allowing them to slowly integrate young forward Hamza Abdelkarim into the first-team picture. With that in mind, here are three realistic alternatives to Alvarez.
Dusan Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic may not have fulfilled the enormous expectations placed on him at Juventus, but it would be unfair to describe the Serbian as an ineffective striker. He has scored 68 goals in 168 appearances for the Italian club, proving that he can produce consistently despite playing in a team that has often struggled to create a regular attacking rhythm.
The 26-year-old is a powerful, left-footed centre-forward who can offer Barcelona something different in the final third. He is physically strong, capable of holding off defenders and comfortable attacking crosses into the penalty area. His shooting technique also allows him to threaten from outside the box, which could be valuable against deep defensive blocks.
Vlahovic scored seven goals and provided one assist in 19 Serie A appearances during the 2025/26 season. He also recorded 49 shots, 18 of which were on target, while winning 25 aerial duels. Those numbers underline his willingness to operate as a traditional penalty-box striker.
There are concerns over his suitability for Barcelona’s intricate positional game. Vlahovic is not as mobile or versatile as Alvarez, and he may not contribute as much when dropping into midfield or pressing across the frontline. Nevertheless, he could become a reliable focal point and a relatively cost-effective option, as he is available on a free transfer, though that status has attracted other clubs, including Manchester United.
Omar Marmoush
Omar Marmoush would be the closest stylistic alternative to Alvarez. The Egyptian forward is comfortable as a striker or left winger, and his explosive pace makes him particularly dangerous when attacking space behind the defensive line. He can also drift into wider areas, combine quickly with teammates and carry the ball through tight spaces.
Marmoush made a significant impression at Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 37 goals in 67 appearances before earning a move to Manchester City. His time in England has been less productive, with 16 goals in 61 games, although limited opportunities and intense competition for places have played a role in that decline.
The 27-year-old recorded three goals and three assists in 21 Premier League appearances during the 2025/26 season, starting eight matches and playing 699 minutes. Those figures do not tell the full story, as Marmoush has often been used in a supporting role rather than as the main attacking reference point.
His pace, 1v1 ability and direct running would suit Barcelona’s transition game. He is also a clean striker of the ball and can contribute from direct free-kicks. A move may also appeal to the player if he remains behind several attacking options at Manchester City.
Barcelona would still need to negotiate a fee, but Marmoush could become available for a reasonable price if he pushes for a more prominent role. His profile is not identical to Alvarez, but his movement and versatility make him the most natural replacement on this list.
Serhou Guirassy
Serhou Guirassy may not generate the same excitement as Alvarez or Marmoush, but he could provide Barcelona with an immediate solution. The Guinea international is a proven goalscorer who thrives inside the penalty area and uses intelligent movement to find gaps between defenders.
Guirassy scored 22 goals and supplied six assists in 46 appearances across all competitions during the 2025/26 season. He is also capable of holding up the ball, bringing teammates into play and using his physical strength against defenders. That could be particularly useful when Barcelona face opponents sitting deep and refusing to leave space behind their backline.
The Borussia Dortmund striker would not offer the same level of mobility as Alvarez, but he would give Barcelona a dependable presence in the box. His ability to attack crosses and finish chances quickly could help effectively replace Lewandowski.
Age is the obvious concern. At 30, Guirassy would not represent a long-term investment, and his resale value would be limited. However, not every signing has to be a decade-long project. Barcelona need to balance immediate performance with financial responsibility, and a lower-cost striker could help them manage the transition while Abdelkarim develops.
Alvarez remains Barcelona’s preferred target because of his movement, pressing and ability to play in multiple positions. Yet Atletico Madrid’s resistance could force the club to make a more practical decision.
