Barcelona continue to regard Julian Alvarez as their primary attacking target, but the Catalan club are actively working on alternative scenarios should Atletico Madrid refuse to negotiate over the Argentine striker.
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Subscribe Sekarang →While awaiting a resolution on their top target, Barcelona have initiated contact regarding Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, according to reports from Spanish newspaper Sport.
The signing of a new centre-forward remains a top priority for Hansi Flick, who desires a player with exceptional mobility, aggressive pressing intensity, and the ability to serve as a strong focal point in attack.
Barcelona have established a strict budget ceiling of approximately 85 million pounds for their new number nine, regardless of which player they ultimately decide to pursue.
Internal opinions at the Camp Nou remain divided regarding Kroupi. One faction believes the 20-year-old Frenchman fits Flick's tactical model perfectly, while another views the high valuation as a significant financial risk.
Last season, Kroupi netted 13 goals in 35 appearances for Bournemouth, playing a pivotal role in securing European qualification for the English club.
Negotiations will likely prove difficult, as Bournemouth are currently showing no willingness to sell their star forward and risk disrupting their squad planning ahead of the Premier League campaign.
In addition to Barcelona, Kroupi's stellar performances have attracted heavy interest from other European giants including Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona expect to finalize their new attacking reinforcement by early August, ensuring Hansi Flick has his new signing integrated before pre-season preparations conclude.