For the summer of 2026, FC Barcelona stands poised to become the leading contender in the pursuit of Julián Álvarez, an Argentine forward who has long attracted the attention of Europe’s top clubs. Real Madrid’s decision to fully withdraw from the race, especially after their €150 million offer was rejected, has significantly improved Barcelona’s chances in securing the player’s signature.
Negotiations between Álvarez’s camp and Real have reportedly deteriorated, with talks now closed and no plans to revisit the matter. Meanwhile, Barcelona continues to monitor the situation actively and remains confident in the player’s preference. Álvarez is currently focused on the World Cup, delaying any club future decisions until after July.
Despite Real’s enormous bid, Barcelona considered their position realistic from the start due to strong relations with the player and his representatives. Should efforts to sign Álvarez falter, the Catalan club is ready to consider a backup plan: Dušan Vlahović. The Serbian striker is poised to become a free agent in summer 2026 as his contract with Juventus expires on June 30. Although Vlahović is negotiating an extension with Juventus, demanding a salary around €8 million while the club has offered €5 million, Barcelona has marked him as a secondary, not priority, target.
Following Robert Lewandowski’s departure, strengthening the attack is critical for Barcelona. Bringing Álvarez would infuse the squad with a top Argentinian forward, but if that proves impossible, Vlahović’s profile and free-agent status make him a valuable alternative.
The unfolding scenario strongly favors Barcelona: no direct competition from Real Madrid and the player’s interest open the door to reinforcing the team’s frontline with a world-class talent under favorable conditions.
