Uncertainty continues to hover over Barcelona’s long-term plans in attack as the club edges closer to a decisive summer that could reshape their frontline.
With financial controls still dictating every major decision, recruitment meetings behind the scenes have intensified in recent weeks.
Sporting director Deco has been increasingly active, quietly laying groundwork while monitoring how the club’s salary limits and registration rules may evolve.
The Catalans know they cannot afford to drift into the next season without clarity at number nine.
As one chapter at Camp Nou approaches its conclusion, attention has already shifted firmly towards who will lead the line next.
Barcelona are preparing for life after Robert Lewandowski, with the Polish striker’s contract set to expire at the end of the season and no guarantees he will remain beyond that point.
The club hierarchy is aligned on the need to bring in a top-tier centre-forward who can anchor the next sporting cycle and fit into a longer-term vision.
Rather than opting for a short-term fix, Barca are prioritising a forward entering his prime, capable of delivering immediately while also growing with the project.
That search has narrowed significantly, with one La Liga-based striker emerging as the standout option ahead of the 2026 summer window.
Despite potential obstacles, the player is viewed internally as the ideal successor to Lewandowski.
That player is Atlético Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, who has been identified as Barcelona’s number-one attacking target for the summer of 2026.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, via X, Deco has already taken the first concrete step by holding initial talks with Alvarez’s representatives earlier this month.
The meeting was exploratory in nature, designed to gauge openness to a future move and to test the waters ahead of any formal approach.
While no deal is close and complications are expected, Barcelona’s intent is now firmly established.
Alvarez’s camp are understood to be aware of the interest, even as the forward remains focused on his commitments in Madrid.
Although the Argentine’s form has dipped slightly in recent months, Barcelona remain convinced of his elite quality and suitability for their system.
The 25-year-old’s profile, versatility and big-game pedigree continue to outweigh short-term fluctuations in output.
Importantly, Julian Alvarez is also believed to be the preferred choice of club president Joan Laporta, giving the pursuit added weight at board level.
The Blaugrana are prepared to push hard for the World Cup winner, provided their financial situation allows it.
A return to the 1:1 Financial Fair Play rule will be a decisive factor in determining how aggressively Barcelona can move.
There is also an added layer of uncertainty, with upcoming presidential elections potentially influencing the final shape of the club’s transfer strategy.
Changes at executive level could either accelerate or stall negotiations, depending on the outcome.
For now, however, Alvarez remains firmly at the top of Barcelona’s shortlist.
Several top European clubs keeping an eye on Julian Alvarez’s situation in 2026. Understand Barcelona are one of them. Deco met with the player’s camp this month for an initial meeting with a view to a potential summer move.🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/iJFxr7HDZS
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 20, 2026
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