Barcelona has officially moved away from the idea of signing Swedish striker **Viktor Gyökeres**, who had been strongly linked with a move to Camp Nou in recent months. With Gyökeres now on the verge of joining **Arsenal**, Barça president **Joan Laporta** has made it clear that the club will not enter a bidding war for his signature and has entirely ruled out the possibility of a last-minute offer.
This change signals a **strategic shift in Barcelona’s transfer policy**, especially concerning the centre-forward position. Rather than splashing out this summer on a marquee striker, **the club intends to wait until 2026** — the year **Robert Lewandowski’s contract expires** — to make a major move. Until then, Laporta prefers to allocate resources toward more urgent needs, including reinforcements in defense and on the wings, all while complying with Financial Fair Play constraints.
But that doesn’t mean Barça is without a long-term plan up front.
According to *El Nacional*, Laporta already has a clear vision: **Julián Álvarez** is the man he wants to lead the Barça attack in the post-Lewandowski era. The Argentine striker — currently excelling at **Atlético Madrid** after his move from **Manchester City** last summer — has caught the attention of Laporta and the sporting department with his relentless work ethic, clinical finishing, and seamless adaptation to La Liga.
Álvarez’s blend of **technical skill, energy, and tactical intelligence** makes him a natural fit for Barcelona’s style of play. At just 25 years old, he still has plenty of upside and is viewed as a long-term solution who can offer both goals and leadership in the final third. Laporta reportedly sees him as the ideal heir to Lewandowski, someone capable of anchoring the attack for years to come.
For now, though, Barcelona’s transfer focus remains pragmatic. The club plans to **prioritize other key positions** — including **right-back, centre-back**, and potentially **a new goalkeeper**, depending on what happens with **Wojciech Szczęsny**.
Until 2026, **Lewandowski** is expected to continue leading the line, supported by **Ferran Torres** and other internal options. But make no mistake: the groundwork is being laid for a **generational change at the heart of the attack**, with Julián Álvarez firmly in Laporta’s long-term blueprint.
