Barcelona have pivoted towards Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi after Atletico Madrid rejected their bid for Julian Alvarez, leaving the Catalan club scrambling to secure a striker before the new La Liga season begins.
The Blaugrana tabled an offer for the Argentina international earlier this summer, but Atletico have consistently maintained that the forward is not available for transfer. According to Diario Sport, president Joan Laporta has privately signalled that the club will move on from the pursuit if the impasse persists beyond the end of July, effectively establishing an informal deadline for the negotiations.
Atletico maintain firm stance
Atletico’s refusal to enter negotiations has not surprised observers familiar with their position, yet Barcelona persisted with their approach for several weeks. The Madrid club have repeatedly insisted Alvarez remains central to their plans, forcing sporting director Deco to explore alternative targets as the pre-season period draws to a close.
Kroupi emerges as priority alternative
With the Alvarez route now appearing closed, Deco has formally re-engaged with the possibility of signing Kroupi. The 20-year-old has remained on Barcelona’s shortlist throughout the summer as a contingency option, and sources indicate the forward would welcome a move to the Camp Nou should the clubs reach an agreement.
However, securing Kroupi’s signature presents significant obstacles. Bournemouth have set a firm €100 million valuation on the young striker, a price tag that casts serious doubt over Barcelona’s capacity to complete the deal given their well-documented financial constraints. Whether the Catalan club can structure a deal to meet that figure remains uncertain.
Striker search intensifies
The urgency reflects Barcelona’s broader attacking concerns. The club recognise the necessity of securing a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, who continues to lead the line but requires both competition and an eventual replacement. Kroupi offers a different profile to the experienced Alvarez, providing potential longevity rather than immediate proven pedigree.
Should Atletico hold firm through the end of July and Bournemouth refuse to soften their stance, Barcelona face the uncomfortable possibility of starting the season without a recognised centre-forward of established pedigree. Deco is now working against the clock to find a viable solution before the opening fixtures.