FC Barcelona are changing course in their search for a new striker. After trying to find a formula to sign Julián Álvarez, Atlético Madrid’s stance has definitively closed that door.

Julián Álvarez is no longer an option.

With that scenario off the table, Deco has started working on another name to strengthen the attack: Lautaro Martínez.

According to information from Gerard Romero on Jijantes, the Inter Milan captain has now emerged as the main option for the Catalan club. Barcelona’s interest is serious, and the Argentine striker would reportedly welcome the possibility of playing for Barça, although convincing the Italian club will be the most difficult part of the operation.

Lautaro Would Be More Affordable Than Julián, but Not Cheap

The main obstacle is once again financial.

Lautaro Martínez is under contract with Inter Milan until 2029 and does not have a release clause that would allow Barcelona to complete the deal simply by paying a predetermined fee. Any move would have to be negotiated directly with the Italian club.

The figures being discussed for a potential departure are around €85 million.

It is a considerable amount, although significantly less than what Barça would have needed to spend to try to take Julián Álvarez away from Atlético Madrid.

However, Barcelona do not want another operation to spiral financially. The club have just made a major investment in Rodri and will now have to carefully determine how much they can spend on a striker.

That will be a major part of Deco’s job: finding a formula that can convince Inter Milan without pushing Barcelona’s finances too far beyond what the club had planned.

What Would Lautaro Bring to Barcelona?

From a sporting perspective, it is easy to understand the interest.

Hansi Flick needs a striker who can operate inside the penalty area but also contribute when the team presses or needs to combine in possession. Lautaro Martínez can occupy center-backs, attack space and drop deeper to participate in the buildup before making another run toward goal.

His arrival would also allow Flick to experiment with different attacking combinations alongside Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon and the rest of Barcelona’s forwards.

There is another important factor: personality.

Lautaro has been one of Inter Milan’s leaders for years and is accustomed to competing on the biggest stages. He would not arrive simply as a striker expected to score goals, but as a player ready to immediately assume an important role in Hansi Flick’s team.

Gyökeres Remains Another Possibility

The Argentine is not the only name Barça have on the table.

Viktor Gyökeres continues to appear as another possibility to strengthen the attack. His situation, however, also depends on the moves Arsenal can make.

The English club would first need to find another striker capable of taking his place before seriously considering negotiations over the Swedish forward’s potential departure. That means that, although his name remains among the options, the timing of any possible deal is not entirely in Barcelona’s hands.

For now, the picture is becoming much clearer.

The Julián Álvarez option is over following Atlético Madrid’s definitive refusal to negotiate his departure. Deco has decided to move on from that operation, Viktor Gyökeres remains an alternative, and Lautaro Martínez has now emerged as the major target to strengthen the attack.

The challenge for Deco will be finding a formula to convince Inter Milan without significantly increasing the club’s spending following the deal for Rodri.

Julián Álvarez is no longer an option, and all eyes at FC Barcelona are now focused on finding their new striker.

Watch beIN SPORTS Xtra live for free on YouTube