FC Barcelona has received a clear message from Atlético de Madrid: Julián Álvarez is not for sale.

After Barcelona president Joan Laporta admitted that the club's offer for the Argentine forward had its limits, the response from the Madrid side was immediate. Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín made it clear that the club has no intention of parting ways with one of its biggest stars.

"We want to keep him. I recently heard the Barcelona president say that their offer wasn't unlimited. Our answer is just as clear: we won't accept €100 million, €150 million, or even €200 million," the executive said, effectively shutting the door on any potential transfer.

With that stance, Barcelona has already begun exploring alternative options to strengthen its attack ahead of next season. The departure of Robert Lewandowski leaves the club searching for a new focal point up front, while the possible exit of Ferran Torres would make signing another striker an even greater priority.

Kroupi Tops Deco and Flick's Shortlist

The player who has reportedly impressed sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick the most is young French striker Eli Junior Kroupi.

The Bournemouth forward, just 20 years old, enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League, scoring 13 goals in his first season in English football. His movement, pace, and finishing ability make him an ideal fit for Flick's attacking system.

The obstacle, however, is financial.

Bournemouth is demanding around €100 million, a figure that currently appears beyond Barcelona's reach.

A similar situation surrounds João Pedro. The Chelsea striker, 24, finished the season with 20 goals and nine assists, but the London club is also unwilling to negotiate for less than €100 million.

Lautaro, Asllani, Šeško, and Other Alternatives

Another name on Barcelona's shortlist is Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez's strike partner with Argentina.

However, that move appears highly unlikely. The Inter Milan captain has repeatedly expressed his commitment to the Italian club, making him more of a dream signing than a realistic target for the Catalan giants.

A more attainable option could be Finik Asllani.

The 23-year-old Kosovo international is expected to leave Hoffenheim after producing 11 goals and eight assists last season. His reported €29 million release clause makes him a far more affordable option, although clubs such as Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are also closely monitoring his situation.

Another striker who remains on Barcelona's radar is Benjamin Šeško.

The Slovenian forward, also 23, completed his first season with Manchester United, scoring 12 goals in 32 appearances. However, the English club is determined to recover much of the significant transfer fee it invested, making negotiations difficult.

Meanwhile, the possibility of signing Harry Kane has cooled considerably. Before the World Cup, Barcelona made contact with the England captain's representatives, but the response was clear: his priority remains signing a new contract with Bayern Munich.

The Most Affordable Options

With Europe's elite forwards commanding transfer fees well into nine figures, Barcelona is also evaluating more economical alternatives.

One of them is Dušan Vlahović, who became a free agent after his contract with Juventus expired. The Serbian striker, now 26, scored 10 goals in 23 matches during his final season in Turin and, according to several reports, has delayed responding to other offers while hoping for a call from Barcelona.

The club is also monitoring Jhon Durán and Darwin Núñez.

The Colombian forward, still only 22, struggled to establish himself during loan spells with Fenerbahçe and Zenit, while the Uruguayan international lost his place at Al-Hilal following the arrival of Karim Benzema.

Barcelona Continues Its Search for a New No. 9

For now, Julián Álvarez remains Barcelona's preferred target, but Atlético de Madrid's firm stance has forced the club to expand its list of candidates.

With Deco and Hansi Flick leading the sporting project, Barcelona is evaluating a wide range of profiles—from highly promising young talents such as Eli Junior Kroupi and Finik Asllani, to established stars like Lautaro Martínez, Dušan Vlahović, and Harry Kane.

The transfer window is only beginning, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear: if Julián Álvarez remains out of reach, Barcelona's next striker will come from an increasingly competitive shortlist.

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