For Camp Nou, transfer gist don dey hot again as Barcelona dey reportedly plan make dem chase Atletico Madrid striker, Julian Alvarez, come summer of 2026.
Dem dey reason am as the possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski wey still dey bang goals but don dey near him final years for top level.
Alvarez shine for first season with Atletico
The Argentina international move go Atletico Madrid from Manchester City for 2024, and e no even waste time before e begin deliver.
For him first season at Wanda Metropolitano, Alvarez score 29 goals for 57 matches, plus add six assists. Na sharp numbers wey show say the boy still dey rise steady.
This new campaign sef, Alvarez don already continue where e stop. Despite Atletico lose 2-1 to Espanyol, na him still put him name for scoresheet. As e be now, the striker don rack up 30 goals in 58 games for the club. E clear say e dey enjoy football for Spain.
Contract wey long, but question dey
Alvarez sign long-term contract wey go carry am reach June 2030. Him dey chop better salary, plus him dey play Champions League ball too.
But gist dey say the 25-year-old dey worry small about how many trophies e fit really win with Atletico. If another season waka pass without serious trophy, Alvarez fit begin reason him future again.
Barca dey plan for post-Lewandowski era
Barcelona no dey take striker matter play. Even if Lewandowski remain one more season, the club dey already prepare for long-term.
Dem dey see Alvarez as the perfect fit, young, experienced, World Cup winner, and hungry for big trophies.
Report talk say move to Camp Nou don always dey appeal to Alvarez, and with Barca recently dey back to winning ways, three domestic trophies last season plus Champions League semi-final run, the attraction dey strong.
Would Alvarez be a good signing?
Alvarez record show say him no be fluke. For La Liga alone, e don score 18 goals and 4 assists in 38 appearances.
Add to that him Champions League pedigree: 15 goals and 5 assists in 27 games across both Man City and Atletico. Na striker wey sabi deliver for big stage.
For Barcelona, signing Alvarez go mean dem dey secure one sharp forward wey go carry dem attack line for years. But e no go cheap at all, Atletico no go gree release am unless serious money land.
Bottom line
Lewandowski still dey strong, and Barca even fit extend him deal go 2027. But football na about planning ahead, and Alvarez dey fit all the qualities wey Barca dey look for in their next number nine.
The only question be: Barca fit pay the heavy money wey Atletico go surely demand?