Report: Barcelona eye Sporting striker Luis Suárez as backup option to Julián Álvarez

Barcelona are reportedly lining up Luis Suárez of Sporting CP as a fallback option if their pursuit of Julián Álvarez doesn’t come together, according to Fabrizio Romano. With Atlético Madrid refusing to engage in talks for their Argentine striker, Barcelona appear to be hedging their bets rather than leaving their attacking rebuild entirely dependent on one deal.

The situation with Álvarez remains complicated. Atlético have set his release clause at €500 million and have shown no willingness to negotiate below that figure, even as tension continues to build between the player and manager Diego Simeone over his desire to leave. With that deal still far from resolved, Barcelona are said to be exploring alternatives to avoid being left without reinforcements up front.

Suárez, a 28-year-old Colombian forward, joined Sporting from Almería in the summer of 2025 and carries a considerably more modest release clause of €80 million — a price Barcelona view as fair for a player coming off one of the most productive seasons of any striker in Europe.

For now, Álvarez remains Barcelona’s clear priority, particularly with Robert Lewandowski’s departure to MLS and Ferran Torres’ move to PSG both freeing up space up front. But with Suárez now on their radar as insurance, Barcelona appear determined not to let their attacking plans hinge entirely on Atlético’s willingness to negotiate.

Adding another layer to the situation, Arsenal have also refused to step away from the race for Álvarez, positioning themselves through sporting director Andrea Berta — a former Atlético executive — to move quickly if Barcelona’s pursuit ultimately collapses.

Suárez’s standout season in Portugal

Suárez’s rise has been built on an extraordinary debut campaign in Portugal. He finished the 2025-26 season with 38 goals in all competitions, including 28 in the league alone, claiming the Primeira Liga’s Golden Boot and a spot on the league’s Team of the Season.

That form carried him into Colombia’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, though his tournament didn’t mirror his club success. Suárez went scoreless throughout the entire tournament, as Colombia advanced all the way to the Round of 16 before falling to Switzerland on penalties.