Just in: Barcelona president identifies 25-year-old World Cup winner as No. 1 target for 2026

FC Barcelona are planning to make a big move in the summer transfer market next year, with the focus being on the centre-forward position.

With Robert Lewandowski’s contract set to expire and an extension unlikely, the Blaugrana will need to replace the veteran superstar, and it appears that president Joan Laporta wishes to go big in search of a successor for the Poland captain.

Julian Alvarez – Laporta’s number one target

Now, according to David Bernabeu of SPORT, Atletico Madrid and Argentina striker Julian Alvarez is a personal favourite of Laporta, and the Barcelona president views him as the No. 1 target for the summer of 2026.

Laporta has admired the player since his time at Manchester City, and in the summer of 2024, there was already some interest from Barcelona’s part in the striker.

However, the club’s confidence in Lewandowski and the financial situation meant no move was made, and he ended up at Atletico, where he has firmly established himself as one of the best in his position, especially given how he has started the new season.

Move will not be easy

The signing of the Atletico forward would present major difficulties for Barcelona. Any potential negotiation between the two clubs will be far from easy.

Laporta’s preferred target for 2026. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Julian has a contract until 2030 and a release clause set at €500 million. Moreover, Atleti have no financial need, and thus no intention of letting go of the main symbol of their project.

As such, Barcelona believe Atletico will not open negotiations for anything less than €200 million at least.

However, the Blaugrana have several factors in their favour, one of which is the relief of their wage bill at the end of the season.

With Lewandowski’s departure, the club would offload the Pole’s gross annual salary of €26 million. To this must be added the ‘fair play’ margin generated by the removal of his amortisation, which amounts to €12.5 million.

In total, Barcelona would free up €38.5 million from Lewandowski’s exit alone to use for registrations, provided they are under the 1:1 rule.

In addition, the club are well aware that the player is a Barcelona supporter, since Lionel Messi, his current Argentina teammate, was his childhood idol. This was revealed by the player’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, himself in an interview earlier this year.