Barcelona's Search for a New No. 9: Key Candidates
Barcelona’s pursuit of a new No. 9 has hit a wall – and a big one.
The club’s move for Julian Alvarez, long treated internally as the ideal signing, is now described as “99% off the table”. Atletico Madrid have no intention of smoothing the path, the situation is stuck, and at Camp Nou there is a growing acceptance that Alvarez will not be wearing blaugrana this summer.
That leaves Hansi Flick and the sporting department facing a question they cannot dodge: if not Alvarez, then who?
A new striker is still a priority. Barcelona want goals, movement, and a forward who can change the picture in the final third, not just finish off moves. Replacing a profile like Alvarez, though, is anything but simple. Names have been floated, debated, quietly sounded out. Some are headline acts, others are bets on what they could become.
Five, in particular, stand out on the current shortlist.
Georges Mikautadze: Deco’s choice, Flick’s doubt
Inside the club, Georges Mikautadze is one of the more serious alternatives. Not by accident. He has a powerful supporter: Deco.
The Villarreal striker comes off a strong 2025/26 campaign – 15 goals and six assists – and those numbers, coupled with his all-round performances, have convinced the sporting director that he could bring something different to Barcelona’s attack.
Flick is not there yet.
The coach is understood to have doubts about whether Mikautadze truly fits what he wants from his No. 9. At this stage, he “does not see it clearly”, and that lack of alignment matters. A major outlay in this position will only go ahead with full sporting agreement.
The price complicates everything. Villarreal would likely demand at least €70 million. For a player the manager is not fully sold on, that turns Mikautadze into a risky, politically sensitive move, no matter how strongly Deco pushes his case.
Viktor Gyokeres: power, goals – and a huge bill
Viktor Gyokeres offers something very different.
The Swedish striker is entering his prime and has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most reliable scorers. His name comes into sharper focus depending on how Arsenal shape their attack, but any conversation around him starts with the same reality: he will not come cheap.
On the pitch, the appeal is obvious. Gyokeres is not just a penalty-box poacher. He drifts wide, attacks space, drives at defenders and can create chances for others. That blend of power and mobility fits neatly with Flick’s aggressive, direct attacking ideas.
There are still question marks. At the very highest level, his link-up play and consistency in tight spaces remain under scrutiny. Yet his scoring record is hard to argue with, and Barcelona know exactly what they would be paying for: a striker expected to deliver from day one.
That is the catch. The transfer fee and salary package would push Gyokeres towards the top end of Barcelona’s wage and investment structure. He would be one of the most expensive options on the table, both now and over the length of his contract.
Lautaro Martinez: the ideal fit that will not move
Every time Barcelona look for a striker, Lautaro Martinez’s name returns.
The Inter Milan captain has been on the club’s radar for years. This summer is no different. Barcelona have already made an enquiry to understand his situation.
It did not go far.
Inter see Lautaro as central to their project, one of their most important players and a leader on and off the pitch. There is no sign they are preparing to sell, and that alone makes any operation extremely complicated.
From a sporting point of view, he ticks almost every box: 28 years old, proven goals, experience, and a track record of performing in big games. From a negotiating and financial point of view, he may be the hardest deal of all. Inter hold the power, and Barcelona know it.
Victor Osimhen: the explosive option with a giant price tag
If Barcelona want pure explosiveness, Victor Osimhen sits at the top of the list.
The Nigerian forward continues to attract interest from Europe’s elite, while Saudi clubs are ready to push the limits financially. Recent reports have even suggested that Galatasaray turned down a staggering €150 million offer from Al-Hilal for the 27-year-old.
Arsenal have also been linked, and the reasons are obvious. Osimhen brings pace, power, aerial dominance and a relentless threat in front of goal. His ability to attack space would be lethal in a Barcelona side that camps in the opposition half and forces teams to defend deep.
Then comes the reality check.
Any move for Osimhen would demand one of the biggest financial commitments of Barcelona’s current project. The transfer fee would be huge. The salary, too. The question inside the club is simple and brutal: is this the player you reshape your budget around?
Nicolo Tresoldi: the wildcard with upside
On the other end of the spectrum sits Nicolo Tresoldi.
The 21-year-old German forward at Club Brugge does not yet have the global profile of the other names. He does, however, have the kind of numbers and attributes that make recruitment departments pay attention.
Across 58 matches in all competitions last season, Tresoldi scored 23 goals. At 6ft 1in, he offers a strong physical presence, yet still has clear room to grow and refine his game.
His contract with Club Brugge runs until 2029, and his valuation is reported at around €45–50 million. That is still a serious investment for a player without top-tier experience in a major league. Barcelona have already made contacts, but any move would be a calculated gamble.
The attraction is obvious when placed alongside names like Lautaro, Osimhen and Gyokeres. With Tresoldi, Barcelona would be paying for what he is now and what he might become. If Flick and the sporting department believe his development can accelerate in this environment, he could evolve into a long-term solution at No. 9 rather than just a quick fix.
Alvarez slipping away has not changed Barcelona’s need. It has simply sharpened the choices. Do they stretch their finances for a ready-made star, or back a profile they can grow into the role?
The clock is ticking, and the next No. 9 will say a lot about what this new Barcelona really want to be.
