Barcelona are reported to be keen on signing Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, who has been touted as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Hansi Flick‘s side emerged as 3-2 winners against fierce rivals Real Madrid on Saturday in the final of the Copa Del Rey, winning the first trophy of a potential treble.
Barca are first in La Liga and are in the semi-finals of the Champions League, with the Spanish giants considered one of the favourites to win the competition.
The club’s remarkable success this campaign has been spearheaded by the deadly front three of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski.
However, Marca claim that Barca are looking at a future without Lewandowski and could try to bring Atletico Madrid striker Alvarez to the club in the summer.
Would Alvarez make sense for Barca?
Lewandowski has been one of Barcelona’s best players this term having scored 40 goals and provided three assists for his side in all competitions.
Though the Polish striker is still arguably among the top centre-forwards in world football, he is 36 years old and it would not be surprising if his production in the final third waned.
Alvarez has managed to score 25 goals and register five assists for his current team, and his ability in small pockets of space has helped Atletico Madrid progress the ball up the pitch.
The 25-year-old attacker works relentless out of possession, and he would suit Flick’s aggressive style of play, offering the German boss far more mobility up front than Lewandowski.
Having said that, Alvarez would not be able to replicate Lewandowski’s ability to occupy opposition defenders in the box, and it remains to be seen if the Atletico forward would be as productive as Barca’s leading striker.
Flick may have to change his system to to accommodate Alvarez, but given the Argentine is comfortable operating as a false nine, he could help to facilitate Yamal and Raphinha.
