Barcelona explores striker options after Lewandowski departure this summer

Barcelona faces a crucial decision regarding their striker signing following Robert Lewandowski's departure at the end of last season. The team targets Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, seen as the ideal candidate. However, due to Atletico's expectations and financial constraints, they are also considering Dusan Vlahovic, who has been offered as a free agent. Vlahovic is looking for a contract worth around €8 million annually, posing a potential financial challenge for Barcelona. The team is treating him as a contingency rather than a priority, focusing on securing Alvarez first.

• 10:30 AMYahoo Sports — Barcelona to keep free agent option alive only if priority signing gets out of reach – report