Barcelona Faces Crucial Week with Key Transfer Decisions
Barcelona is entering a significant week, wherein the club aims to finalize the sale of Ferran Torres and strike a deal for Manchester City’s Rodri. The sale of Torres is expected to be concluded shortly, possibly by tomorrow, but Barcelona is encountering challenges in meeting Manchester City’s asking price for Rodri.
In addition to these deals, the club is also in contention for Julian Alvarez. However, Atletico Madrid has shown no intention of parting ways with the player, prompting Barcelona to consider other options soon.
Several top strikers from across Europe have expressed their interest in joining Barcelona this summer, including Victor Osimhen. Nevertheless, it appears the club is steering its focus in a different direction.
Osimhen Not on Barcelona’s Radar
Osimhen, who currently plays for Galatasaray, has been linked to Barcelona, but according to sources from Carlos Monfort of SPORT, he has never been a priority target for the club. The 27-year-old Nigerian striker is among many names circulating in connection with Barcelona. However, the prevailing opinion within the club suggests that Osimhen does not fit their desired playing style, despite being offered several times.
Monfort made it clear that there is little probability of a deal emerging, emphasizing that the link to Osimhen should be disregarded as he is not part of Barcelona’s genuine plans.
Alvarez Remains Top Target
This clarity regarding Osimhen reinforces Barcelona’s focus on Julian Alvarez as their primary target for the striker position. The Argentine player remains the top choice for club executives Deco and Hansi Flick, even though Atletico Madrid continues to assert that he is not for sale.
Barcelona is hopeful that Alvarez will advocate for his transfer upon returning to pre-season activities, but they recognize that time is of the essence. Should their pursuit of Alvarez ultimately prove unsuccessful, the club has alternatives in mind, including Fisnik Asllani, who presents a younger and more cost-effective profile that aligns with Barcelona’s strategy. In contrast, they view pursuing an expensive traditional striker like Osimhen as misaligned with their long-term vision.
Barcelona are staring at an important week, in which the club not only has to close the sale of Ferran Torres but also wrap up the Rodri deal.
While the Torres sale is only a matter of time and could be completed by tomorrow, Barcelona are having problems meeting Manchester City’s valuation for Rodri.
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In the background, the club are also involved in the race for Julian Alvarez. But with Atletico Madrid showing no desire to sell, the Blaugrana may have to look elsewhere soon.
That is perhaps why several top strikers across Europe have offered themselves to Barcelona this summer, including Victor Osimhen. But it seems the club have other plans.
Not a priority target for Barcelona
Osimhen wants to leave Galatasaray. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
According to Carlos Monfort of SPORT, Osimhen has never been a priority or a genuine option for Barcelona at any stage this summer.
The 27-year-old Nigerian striker, currently at Galatasaray, is said to be one of a thousand names circulating in connection with the club, but the sentiment internally is clear.
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Barcelona simply do not believe Osimhen fits the footballing context they are looking for, despite him having been offered to the club on several occasions.
Monfort was unequivocal in his assessment, refusing to attach any real probability to a move materialising. In his view, the Osimhen link is one to be dismissed entirely, with the striker not featuring in Barcelona’s genuine plans.
Alvarez remains the priority
The stance reinforces just how focused Barcelona are on Julian Alvarez as their number one target for the striker role.
Barcelona are ready to wait further for Alvarez. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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The Argentine remains the man Deco and Hansi Flick want above all others, even though Atletico continue to insist he is not for sale.
Barcelona are hopeful the player himself can force the issue upon his return to pre-season, but they are aware time is running out.
Should the Alvarez pursuit ultimately fail, Barcelona have alternatives in mind, with the likes of Fisnik Asllani offering a younger, more affordable profile that better suits their model.
A traditional, expensive centre-forward like Osimhen, however, does not appear to align with their vision.
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