Barcelona are ‘keeping tabs on Julian Alvarez as they begin search for Robert Lewandowski’s long-term successor’… and the Man City star ‘could be snapped up for just £43m’
- Julian Alvarez has had an impressive start to the season for Manchester City
- Alvarez’s form has attracted suitors with Barcelona keeping an eye on him
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Barcelona are reportedly eyeing a move for Man City striker Julian Alvarez.
The Argentina star – who scored four goals as his country won the World Cup last year – moved from River Plate to the Etihad in January 2022 for £14.1 million.
Last season he scored 17 goals in all competitions as City won the Treble, although he made just 23 starts as the 23-year-old largely played second fiddle to Erling Haaland.
However, injuries to key strikers have seen Alvarez play a more prominent role so far this season, with six goals and five assists in 13 games.
And now, according to the Spanish outlet SportBarcelona are keeping tabs on the forward as they look for a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Barcelona are reportedly eyeing a move for Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Julian Alvarez
The Catalan giants are looking for a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, 35
The Polish forward, 35, joined from Bayern Munich for £42.5million last summer and scored 33 goals in all competitions in the 2022-2023 season.
However, given his age and current absence through injury, Barcelona boss Xavi and sporting director Deco – who are both fans of Alvarez – are keen to ensure there is sufficient back-up for Lewandowski.
While 18-year-old Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque is set to join the club in January, Lewandowski has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the summer, meaning there could be greater urgency to strengthen in attack areas.
The report goes on to say that Xavi is a big fan of Alvarez due to his goalscoring ability and versatility on the front line, with the Argentine being able to play centrally, deeper and wide.
It is also claimed that the 23-year-old has a €50m (£43.4m) release clause, which has encouraged Barcelona to go a step further.
Barcelona boss Xavi is a big fan of Alvarez and his versatility to play on the front line
However, the 23-year-old reportedly has a very good relationship with City boss Pep Guardiola
However, their hopes for a deal are likely to be hampered by several factors.
Firstly, he is said to have an extremely good relationship with Pep Guardiola, while the football director Txiki Begiristain is unlikely to make it easy for his former club to close a deal.
Meanwhile, Alvarez signed a new five-year contract towards the end of last season, doubling his wages to around £100,000 per week, in another example of the high regard City held for him.
The Argentinian is currently on international duty and started his two 2026 World Cup qualifying victories against Paraguay and Peru in recent days.
