Victor Osimhen Emerges as Primary Target on Barcelona’s Attacking Shortlist

Barcelona have identified Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen as one of their primary alternative targets should they fail to secure a transfer for Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez. The Spanish champions are actively working to strengthen the attack under manager Hansi Flick, but current negotiations for their top target have encountered significant financial hurdles.

Reports out of Spain indicate that Barcelona’s initial €100 million bid for Álvarez was knocked back by Atlético Madrid, who are holding out for €120 million alongside the inclusion of a high-profile player in exchange. Reluctant to meet these massive demands, the Catalan club’s hierarchy is evaluating contingency plans to ensure they bring in an elite goalscorer before the close of the transfer window.

Osimhen has surfaced near the top of that backup list due to his strong physical profile as a traditional centre-forward and his elite goalscoring reputation. The Nigerian international has remained highly sought after in European football following his permanent €75 million transfer from Napoli to Galatasaray in 2025.

Beyond Osimhen, Barcelona have internally discussed several other high-profile forwards, though each presents unique challenges:

Lautaro Martínez: The Inter Milan captain is highly admired, but his current contract situation makes a potential pursuit incredibly difficult.

Serhou Guirassy: The Borussia Dortmund striker remains a person of interest, particularly due to a specific release clause available to elite European suitors.

Harry Kane: The England captain has been linked to the vacancy, but the financial packet required and his contentment at Bayern Munich make a move highly improbable.

João Pedro and Dusan Vlahović: While both have been linked to Flick’s tactical setup previously, they are not currently viewed as preferred frontrunners.

While Barcelona remain focused on finding a breakthrough for Álvarez, the ongoing monitoring of alternative options like Osimhen ensures the club can pivot immediately if negotiations with Atlético Madrid completely break down..