FC Barcelona Ask Manchester City About Signing Argentina Ace Julian Alvarez

FC Barcelona have inquired about possibly signing Argentina striker Julian Alvarez from Manchester City, according to a report.

This claim has been made by respected Argentine journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, and it is said elsewhere that Barca have already asked City about the possibility of taking the youngster on loan.

Despite his heroics at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where he was introduced as a replacement for underperforming former Barca target Lautaro Martinez and went on to help La Albiceleste to a third title alongside captain Lionel Messi, Alvarez continues to live in the shadow of Erling Haaland at the Etihad.

The 22-year-old has only made six starts since joining from River Plate for a fee of €23mn ($24.2mn) in 2022, and wants more prominence in the PremierPINC
League while reportedly harboring a fear of stagnating in his career progression by rotting on the bench, SPORT says.

A loan deal would be perfect for Barca given their financial predicament, which sees them having to shed €200mn ($211mn) from the pay roll ahead of next term on the orders of La Liga president Javier Tebas.

A temporary arrangement could come with an option to buy clause, at a time when Barca only have one pure striker in 34-year-old Robert Lewandowski.

The veteran has not been the same since returning from said World Cup where his Poland team were defeated 2-0 in Group C by Alvarez’s Argentina with the youngster scoring the opener.

Alvarez could act as a potential heir to the number ‘9’, but Barca are also said to be interested in signing South American U20 championship winner Vitor Roque from over the border in Brazil.

The Athletico Paranaense hit man turns 18 on Tuesday. But unlike Alvarez, who would cost nothing on loan other than his wages, Barca would need to part with cash to get him to cross the Atlantic.

The Curitiba club are said to want up to €40mn ($42.2mn) for their man, who arguably offers more versatility than Alvarez given he can also operate on the right wing.

Acquiring Alvarez, however, would represent a much lower risk operation for the Blaugrana and see them land a player that has already begun to prove himself on the biggest of stages.