Lewandowski's heir? Barcelona eye World Cup winner with bargain release clause
Tom Weber
- Updated: 18 Oct 2023 14:29 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona would like to add another striker besides Vitor Roque to their squad, according to Spanish media.
The Brazilian wonderkid will arrive in Catalunya in 2024 and the club are scrambling to muster the resources that would allow him to join in January as a backup to Robert Lewandowski.
At 18, Roque is very much one for the future and the Blaugrana do not expect him to become a megastar right away. In this sense, he is the polar opposite of Lewandowski. The Pole, Barcelona's star striker, is 35 and coming towards the end of his career. With this in mind, the Catalans are looking at potential options to succeed the veteran.
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According to Sport, Manchester City's Julian Alvarez is a player head coach Xavi admirers a lot. Even though the Argentine is under contract until 2028 with the treble winners, the Blaugrana feel that a deal could be possible.
Bargain release clause
That is because they believe that the 2022 world champion has a release clause set at a measly €50 million. The 23-year-old was snapped up by City in January 2022 for €21.4 million and his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) peaked last year at €46.6m.
Given his potential and form this term, City would surely demand a fee closer to €100m than €50m for his services. Alvarez, already shining in moments last season, has stepped out of Erling Haaland's shadow and established himself as one of Pep Guardiola's deadliest players.
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Barcelona's economic situation could make a deal difficult, but if the reports of his release clause are true, they will certainly give it a good go as this could turn out to be a real bargain for a player who has already achieved most things there are to achieve at just 23.
It must be said, however, that it is hard to believe that City would have agreed to such a nominal fee when they offered him a new deal late last season.
