Barcelona target Lautaro Martínez for €85m after Atlético shut Álvarez door

Barcelona have identified Lautaro Martínez as their primary striker target this summer after Atlético Madrid definitively closed the door on a Julián Álvarez transfer, according to journalist Gerard Romero on Jijantes. Sporting director Deco has turned his attention to the Inter Milan captain, who is said to be open to joining the Catalan club.

Barcelona had spent weeks searching for a formula to prise Álvarez away from Atlético, but the Madrid club’s firm refusal to negotiate has ended that pursuit entirely. Lautaro now occupies the top spot on Barcelona’s striker shortlist, with Viktor Gyökeres remaining a secondary option.

What a deal would cost

Lautaro is contracted to Inter until 2029 and has no release clause, meaning Barcelona would need to negotiate directly with the Serie A club. The figures currently being discussed sit at around €85 million — a considerable outlay, but reportedly less than what an Álvarez deal would have required.

Financial discipline is a clear priority for the club. After a major investment in Rodri, Barcelona are determined to avoid another deal that strains their finances, and Deco’s next steps will hinge on identifying a structure that satisfies Inter without overextending the club’s budget.

The sporting case for Lautaro

For Hansi Flick, the appeal is clear. The Barcelona head coach needs a centre-forward capable of working inside the penalty area, pressing from the front and combining in tight spaces — qualities Lautaro has demonstrated consistently at Inter. He can pin back central defenders, attack in behind and drop into the buildup before making a second run toward goal.

His arrival would create new attacking combinations alongside Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon and Barcelona’s other forwards. Lautaro has also been one of Inter’s most influential figures for several years and is well-versed in high-stakes European football, giving him the profile of a player ready to step into a leading role at Camp Nou.

Gyökeres remains an alternative

Viktor Gyökeres has not been ruled out, but his availability depends on Arsenal securing a replacement for him first — a variable that sits entirely outside Barcelona’s control. That uncertainty makes Lautaro the more actionable target at this stage.

With Álvarez off the table and Gyökeres’ timeline unclear, Barcelona’s striker search has narrowed considerably. Lautaro Martínez is now the name at the top of Deco’s list.