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Reports indicate Barcelona have identified a backup option to their primary transfer target Julián Alvarez, with Sporting CP striker Luis Suárez emerging as a potential alternative.
The reigning back-to-back La Liga champions are in urgent need of a center-forward following the departure of highly-paid Robert Lewandowski, while World Cup final scorer Ferran Torres is also set to leave, barring a dramatic change of heart, heading to Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.
Barça have agreed a $57.5 million deal with PSG to offload Torres to the French capital, leaving new arrivals Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi—primarily wide attackers—along with youngster Hamza Abdelkarim as the top three options up front.
The club cannot afford to enter the new campaign without reinforcing Hansi Flick's attack, and if they ultimately accept Atlético Madrid's firm stance and walk away from Alvarez, Barcelona could turn their attention to Sporting CP's Suárez.
Barcelona Eye Luis Suarez ... No, Not That One
Earlier reports had suggested it was Alvarez or nothing for Barça this summer, but Torres' imminent departure has changed the equation. Although an offer for the Argentine remains on the table, the club is now exploring other options.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday that Suárez has been added to Barça's transfer shortlist, with the Catalan club expected to consider making a formal approach next week, around the time they are likely to move on from Alvarez.
Suárez effectively stepped into Viktor Gyökeres' shoes at Sporting CP last season, netting 33 goals across all competitions, including 28 in the Primeira Liga. As a cornerstone of their squad, Sporting will not let him go without a fight. Interested clubs this summer have been told they must trigger his €80 million ($92.7 million) release clause, and Barcelona will be no exception.
While Suárez enjoyed the most productive goalscoring campaign of his career in 2025–26, the 28-year-old's stock fell at the World Cup after failing to find the net in five matches. He struggled to assert himself among the world's top strikers on the global stage, and his wastefulness in front of goal played a role in Colombia's round-of-16 elimination.
His track record in Europe's top five leagues also leaves something to be desired, having had stints at Granada, Marseille, and Almeria. Across 107 appearances in La Liga and Ligue 1, Suárez has managed just 26 goals—a return that would likely fall short of Barça's standards.
Where Does Alvarez Stand in All This?
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Little has changed since Alvarez publicly stated during the World Cup group stage that he wanted to "fulfill his dream" of joining Barça, with hopes that Atlético Madrid would accept a $116 million bid from Catalonia.
Alvarez has since returned for preseason training following his post-World Cup break, but was notably absent from Atléti's squad for their final pre-season fixture ahead of the La Liga campaign.
Social media speculation suggests a reportedly "emotionally devastated" Alvarez is set to make one final appeal to Atléti to approve his transfer, though he has yet to secure a meeting with club CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marín.