Barcelona Eyes Viktor Gyokeres as Julian Alvarez Deal Stalls

Barcelona’s hunt for a new No 9 is starting to twist. With their push for Julian Alvarez hitting a wall, the Catalan club are now weighing up a move for Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Spanish journalist Jose Alvarez Haya reports that movement is expected “in the coming hours” around the Sweden international, with Barça ready to probe his situation at the Emirates. The idea is clear: Alvarez remains the dream, but the club cannot afford to be left empty-handed as the window ticks towards its close.

For weeks, the conversation at Barcelona has revolved around one name. Julian Alvarez. The Argentine has been installed as the priority, the forward Xavi’s side want to build around.

But Atletico Madrid have slammed the door shut. The Rojiblancos are refusing to even sit at the table with Barcelona over their star, a hardline stance that has turned a complicated deal into something close to impossible. Every enquiry has met the same response. No sale. Not to Barça.

That resistance has forced the Catalans to widen the radar. Lautaro Martinez was floated. So was Sporting CP’s Luis Suarez. Both names generated noise last week, both were quickly cooled as realistic options.

Now Gyokeres steps into the frame.

The Swede only joined Arsenal last summer in a deal worth around €70 million after tearing through defences at Sporting Lisbon and establishing himself as one of Europe’s most prolific finishers. Expectations in north London were sky high.

The reality of his debut season in England was more nuanced. Gyokeres closed the 2025-26 campaign with 21 goals in all competitions for Arsenal — a solid return, especially in a first Premier League season, but short of the outrageous numbers he had posted in Portugal.

There were stretches where he looked every bit the ruthless penalty-box presence Arsenal thought they had signed. There were also spells when he slipped out of the XI, no longer the automatic starter he had been at Sporting. That inconsistency has raised questions about his long-term role under Mikel Arteta.

Barcelona are watching that uncertainty closely.

With Ferran Torres already out the door, the squad is light in the centre-forward department. The board still refuses to shut the door on Alvarez, but time and Atletico’s stance are pushing them towards contingency plans. Gyokeres, with his blend of power, movement and age profile, now sits near the top of that list.

For the moment, this is an exploratory phase. Barcelona intend to test the water, understand Arsenal’s position and the player’s own view, without yet walking away from the Alvarez pursuit.

The clock is ticking on the window. Something has to give — Atletico’s resolve, Arsenal’s grip on Gyokeres, or Barcelona’s insistence on their first choice.