Barcelona turn to Raphinha after Alvarez setback

Barcelona are set to rely on Raphinha as their internal answer at centre-forward after their pursuit of Julian Alvarez moved towards failure. The Brazilian’s suitability for Hansi Flick’s system has made him the leading alternative, keeping the club from needing an immediate external replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who left this summer.

Raphinha has started the season as Barcelona’s most effective attacking option apart from Lewandowski during the German coach’s tenure. He has scored three times in La Liga so far, including two goals against Elche and another against Athletic Bilbao. That early return has strengthened the case for moving him into the No. 9 role.

Barcelona had hoped to sign Alvarez, but Atletico Madrid were unwilling to release the Argentina forward to a direct competitor. The route to the player remains open before the transfer window closes on Tuesday, although Arsenal have recently moved closer to the case and Manchester City have also joined the pursuit. Alvarez had initially wanted Barcelona.

The Catalan club still have further cover in attack. Karim Adeyemi, signed from Borussia Dortmund in the winter, and Anthony Gordon, who arrived from Newcastle, can also play through the middle. Flick’s team will face Rayo Vallecano on Monday in its third Liga fixture of the season, with Raphinha now positioned as the club’s practical solution up front.