Barcelona target Gyokeres as shock alternative after Atletico block Alvarez move

Barcelona are weighing a surprise move for Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres after Atletico Madrid shut down their pursuit of Julian Alvarez, according to Spanish outlet El Chiringuito, which reported on Monday that the Catalans could make their approach within hours.

Gyokeres, 28, has emerged as a shock alternative as Barcelona seek a replacement for Ferran Torres, who joined Paris Saint-Germain for €50 million (£43m), and Robert Lewandowski, whose contract at the Camp Nou expired in June. Hansi Flick’s side have also been linked with Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Sporting Lisbon’s Luis Suarez — the striker who replaced Gyokeres in Lisbon after Arsenal paid £64m to sign the Swede last summer.

The timing adds a layer of intrigue at Arsenal, where Gyokeres’ place in Mikel Arteta’s plans is far from settled. The forward was left on the bench for the Champions League final in May and was again unused as Kai Havertz led the line in Sunday’s 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City. Havertz has now scored or assisted in six of his last seven competitive appearances for the club, and is expected to start when Arsenal open their Premier League title defence against Coventry on Friday. Gyokeres, meanwhile, has gone six competitive games without a goal.

Barcelona’s interest in Alvarez has been firmly rebuffed by Atletico. Manager Diego Simeone made the club’s position clear earlier this month: “The situation is very clear. The club took a decision which Miguel Angel explained well. We are very happy with Julian. From the sporting side of things, we will help him keep growing and improving so that he can give us what he has given us over these two years at the club so far, which was a mountain of things.”

Atletico are set to begin their La Liga campaign at home to newly promoted Malaga on Wednesday. Alvarez did not feature in pre-season after being granted additional rest following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final.

A Gyokeres-for-Alvarez swap between Arsenal and Atletico has been mooted but is considered unlikely, particularly given that Atletico have already turned down bids from both Barcelona and Real Madrid for the Argentine. With deadline day two weeks away, Barcelona’s search for a striker is intensifying — and Gyokeres now sits at the centre of it.