Barcelona are reportedly widening their search for a new striker, with Sporting CP's Luis Suarez emerging as a contingency option should their pursuit of Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez fail to materialize, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.
The LaLiga champions have long been linked with a move for Alvarez, who has grown increasingly open about his desire to leave the Wanda Metropolitano. The Argentine striker recently addressed the speculation surrounding his future in candid terms.
"I don't think it's the right moment to talk, but I also don't want to hide. I try to be an honest person," Alvarez told ESPN. "I spoke with the people at [Atletico] who I needed to speak with. I think the best thing for everyone is a transfer. I want to fulfil my dream."
Despite those comments, Atletico Madrid have shown no willingness to budge on their stance. The club has repeatedly made clear that Alvarez is not for sale, and certainly not to a domestic rival like Barcelona. That firm position appears to have finally registered with the Catalan giants, who are now exploring alternatives in case the situation with Atletico does not shift.
Enter Suarez, the Colombian forward who joined Sporting CP last summer as the direct replacement for Viktor Gyokeres following the Swede's move to Arsenal. The 26-year-old has reportedly impressed enough to warrant Barcelona's attention as a plan B in their striker search.
Any move for Suarez would not come cheap, however. The forward is understood to carry an €80million (£68.3m) release clause in his contract with the Portuguese club. Sources close to the situation indicate that Barcelona will only seriously consider activating that clause from next week onward, and only if the pursuit of Alvarez has definitively stalled.
For Arsenal, who secured Gyokeres in one of last summer's marquee transfers, the developments could work in their favor. If Barcelona commit resources to a deal for Suarez, it may ease some of the competitive pressure the Gunners face in other areas of the striker market, though the direct implications for their own business remain to be seen.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have been unequivocal in shutting down any suggestion that Alvarez could be sold, particularly to a LaLiga title rival. Manager Diego Simeone addressed the matter directly with reporters, emphasizing the club's satisfaction with the striker's contributions since his arrival.
"The situation is very clear," Simeone said. "The club took a decision which Miguel Angel explained well. We are very happy with Julian. From the sporting side of things, we will help him keep growing and improving so that he can give us what he has given us over these two years at the club so far, which was a mountain of things."
Simeone's comments referenced club officials who have already communicated Atletico's position on the matter, reinforcing that there is little room for negotiation despite the player's own public admission that he sees his future elsewhere.
As things stand, Barcelona find themselves navigating a delicate balancing act - continuing to push for their preferred target in Alvarez while simultaneously preparing a fallback option in Suarez should Atletico's resolve prove unshakeable. The coming weeks are likely to prove decisive in determining which direction the Catalan club ultimately takes in their search for attacking reinforcements.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.