Barcelona are actively seeking to strengthen their attacking lineup with a center-forward this summer. While their initial primary target has been Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, recent reports indicate that the Catalan club has shifted its focus to another forward from Atletico Madrid: Alexander Sørloth.
According to Marca, Barcelona has expressed formal interest in signing the Norwegian striker. Sørloth has a notable track record against Barcelona and a respectable goal-scoring record during his two seasons with Atletico Madrid. Mateo Moretto explains that with the potential departure of Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona finds Sørloth’s similar physical attributes and his ability to integrate quickly into Hansi Flick’s tactical system appealing.
Barcelona Seeks Cover Amid Lewandowski Uncertainty
The initial plan for Barcelona was to retain Robert Lewandowski for another season. They had proposed a one-year contract extension with a significant wage reduction, envisioning him in a backup role at Camp Nou. However, the Polish veteran, who will turn 38 in August, is still evaluating his options and is reportedly no longer prioritizing Barcelona’s offer. This situation creates a possibility of him leaving at the end of the season, leaving Ferran Torres as the sole natural number nine.
Sørloth’s Strong Record Against Barcelona
Barcelona is well aware of Sørloth’s capabilities, as the 30-year-old has performed strongly against them. In 15 appearances against the Catalan side, he has scored seven goals and provided three assists. Sørloth has two years remaining on his current Atletico contract and has accumulated 17 goals and an assist in 47 appearances for the club, despite starting only 24 of those matches.
A Starting Striker or a Strategic Alternative?
With a move for Julian Alvarez appearing increasingly difficult, Barcelona has also been linked with Victor Osimhen. However, there have been few concrete links to other players who could realistically fill the number nine position. Ferran Torres remains an alternative, but the prevailing sentiment at Barcelona has been the desire to sign a high-profile player who could be a long-term solution. Sørloth would represent a less high-profile option compared to players like Alvarez or Osimhen.
