Barcelona needs to find a striker who can contribute 30 goals, and Álvarez is the top target.

Lewandowski's 19 goals for Barcelona last season were his lowest output since joining the Blaugrana. With Rashford returning to Manchester United after his loan spell, the 14 goals he contributed are also gone. Barcelona needs to fill the 33-goal void left by the two players combined with new signings. Gordon (17 goals for Newcastle last season) and Adeyemi (10 goals for Dortmund) have already joined, but the key is whether they can precisely strengthen the center-forward position—whether it's Álvarez or other rumored candidates.

Undoubtedly, Álvarez is Barcelona's primary target for the No. 9 position. Despite Atlético Madrid's complaint about Barcelona's approach, the sporting department led by Deco plans to proceed as intended. The formal offer, close to 100 million euros, is still valid, but Barcelona also knows that this offer cannot be left on the table indefinitely.

Analyzing Álvarez's statistics at Atlético Madrid yields multiple interpretations. Firstly, the Argentine scored 20 goals last season, surpassing Lewandowski's 19 goals, but still falling short of Lewandowski's average of 30 goals per season at Barcelona. Lewandowski scored 120 goals for Barcelona over four seasons, making the average calculation straightforward.

Barcelona's technical team and sporting department are confident that Álvarez's numbers will significantly improve under Flick's more attacking system compared to Simeone's tactics. Furthermore, he is 11 years younger than Lewandowski and can contribute more in terms of pressing and teamwork. In terms of assists, Álvarez provided 9 last season, while Lewandowski had 4.

Barcelona lost Rashford (winger) but gained Gordon and Adeyemi. Last season, Rashford contributed 14 goals and 14 assists, while Gordon (17 goals, including 10 Champions League goals) and Adeyemi (10 goals) combined for 27 goals, but lagged behind Rashford in assists—with a total of 11 assists (Gordon 5, Adeyemi 6).

If Álvarez ultimately cannot join due to Atlético Madrid's refusal to budge, Barcelona will activate alternative options. Plan B, Kroupi, has been sidelined due to injury; the Bournemouth striker scored 13 goals last season with no assists.

Another name is Asllani, the German-Kosovan player who contributed 11 goals and 13 assists for Hoffenheim last season.

Finally, there's a familiar face, Vlahović. The 26-year-old Belgrade striker, plagued by injuries, only scored 10 goals and provided 2 assists for Juventus last season and is currently out of contract.

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