It appears that FC Barcelona and Deco will need to move faster than expected if they want to find an appropriate replacement for their ageing talisman. Robert Lewandowski may be one of the best centre-forwards around in terms of sheer goalscoring talent and all-round football IQ, but time is not on his side anymore.
Even if they have their eyes set on Julian Alvarez, signing him won't prove to be as straightforward as the Catalan club might assume, since Atletico will never let him go for cheap. Also, there are conficting views among fans regarding the signing of Julian Alvarez and whether it really makes sense for Barcelona to go after him.
That's precisely why Barcelona might be forced to implement their ‘Plan B’, with the key difference being that this won't be a plan based on desperation, but necessity.
Barcelona’s 'Plan B' options
Instead of trying to replace Robert Lewandowski with a "positional chameleon" or a hybrid of playmaker/attacker that will suit the tactical setup of Barcelona, the management is seeking out physical profiles that can hold down the fort and score a few goals whenever possible.
Three names stand out at first glance when thinking of such players: Alexander Sorloth, Vedat Muriqi and Fisnik Asllani.
Alexander Sorloth: Target man
Barcelona’s first choice as plan B is Alexander Sorloth. In the 2025/2026 La Liga season, Sorloth has scored 10 goals in 30 games, and is quite a threat in the air, having won 79 aerial duels with a success rate of 56.8%.
Sorloth is a 'traditional number 9' whose style of play relies on other players feeding him the ball in dangerous situations. There are still doubts as to whether the signing will work because Sorloth does not fit well tactically with Hansi Flick's style of play. It has been reported that Sorloth could be available this summer for approximately €20-30 million.
Vedat Muriqi: The top scorer
Currently, there isn't anyone else besides Kylian Mbappe capable of finding the back of the net more times than Vedat Muriqi this season.
With 21 goals this season in La Liga, Muriqi is placed second in the scoring charts. The data is even more interesting if we look at his goals scored from open play without relying on penalty kicks. His 16 non-penalty goals make him the most productive non-specialist of that kind in the league.
This player is not about dribbling and high-tempo transitions; Muriqi's game is built on sheer physical presence, which allows him to average an astounding 6.4 aerial duels per 90 minutes.
Such characteristics provide Barcelona with an option against opponents that prefer playing in a low block, defending deeply. Muriqi, however, is 31 years old, and this puts him as the oldest option available in Barcelona’s radar. Muriqi’s release clause stands at around €40 million, but he could be available for much lower given his age, and also the possibility of Mallorca getting relegated.
Fisnik Asllani: The high-upside project
As one of the youngest players on the shortlist, Fisnik Asllani is another interesting choice from TSG Hoffenheim. The 23-year-old combines his considerable size with some serious technical skills involved.
Scoring 9 goals and providing 6 assists over 28 matches, Asllani manages an incredible 73% of pass completion rate despite standing 1.88m tall.
This modern forward won’t be content to stay put inside the penalty box. The player has the ability to act as a poacher but is also comfortable with dropping back into deeper positions to link up with other players.
However, unlike Sorloth and Muriqi, Aslani has not been yet tested in a top-flight environment. According to reports, Hoffenheim would demand between €25 million and €29 million for the services of Asllani, and for an inexperienced striker like him, the asking price is surely high. In their support, Hoffenheim are charging for Asllani’s potential and not his current form.
Tactical perspective
As everyone knows by now, Hansi Flick's system requires a lot out of his center-forward. Barcelona needs someone who can drive Barcelona through constant pressing and duels.
Sorloth and Muriqi are classic target men who can change the balance of power in the penalty area with their presence alone. Asllani, while offering similar versatility to the aforementioned, might be too inexperienced to lead the line for a club like Barcelona.
Regardless, all these players provide the necessary height and strength which is often lacking at FC Barcelona once Robert Lewandowski is sidelined. With the pursuit of Alvarez unlikely to succeed, it seems evident as to what kind of tactical evolution the club is looking for.
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