Barcelona are shifting their transfer strategy after hitting a roadblock in their pursuit of Julian Alvarez. The Catalan giants have reportedly made a Premier League forward their top priority, as landing the Atletico Madrid star has proven too difficult—and too expensive—this summer.
The Blaugrana had identified Alvarez as their ideal number nine target as early as last summer, with club officials making their interest clear over the past several months. However, a major obstacle has emerged: Atletico Madrid have publicly stated they are not considering selling the Argentine, while Barcelona are operating with a strict €100m budget for any striker deal. Adding to the complexity, Paris Saint-Germain have entered the race, reportedly willing to outbid Barcelona with a more lucrative offer.
According to reports from Catalonia, Barcelona's Director of Football has now turned his attention to Chelsea forward Joao Pedro. The 24-year-old Brazilian is seen as a more attainable option, with Barcelona believing a deal could be struck in the region of €70m this summer. However, reports from Brazil suggest the asking price might be closer to €100m, creating some uncertainty around the final figure.
There is a potential silver lining for Barcelona: if Chelsea fail to secure Champions League qualification, the price tag could drop significantly. The Catalan side are also eager to complete the deal before Pedro represents Brazil at the upcoming World Cup, which could further inflate his value.
From a tactical perspective, Pedro offers a different profile compared to Alvarez. He is a more physical presence in the box, providing an aerial threat that Barcelona's current forwards lack. His ability to link play and hold up the ball makes him a closer stylistic replacement for Robert Lewandowski than the more mobile Argentine. These attributes have reportedly caught the eye of Barcelona's scouting team.
However, there are risks to consider. Pedro's goalscoring record doesn't compare to Lewandowski's at any stage of his career, and the Brazilian is still relatively inexperienced at the highest level. With just eight caps for Brazil and only this season as his first taste of Champions League football, Barcelona would be betting on potential rather than proven pedigree—especially in the competition where they hope to make the biggest impact.