FC Barcelone's Plan B gains momentum as Pavlidis emerges

FC Barcelone is exploring several alternatives to boost its attack after Atlético de Madrid refused to negotiate for Argentine forward Julián Alvarez. The Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis of Benfica has moved up the Catalan club’s shortlist, offering a concrete Plan B.

Atlético de Madrid’s inflexibility on the Julián Alvarez dossier has forced Barça to keep the Argentine as its top priority while the Madrid side has officially closed the door. The club’s refusal stems from not wanting to strengthen a direct rival in La Liga.

Relations between the two clubs have soured, with BeFootball reporting that Atlético lodged a complaint with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), accusing Barça of pressuring Alvarez. The RFEF has formally notified FC Barcelone of the grievance, highlighting the tension between the clubs.

In this context, Vangelis Pavlidis is gaining traction. The 27‑year‑old forward has recorded 64 goals in 112 appearances for Benfica, and his contract runs until 2029, giving the Portuguese Club a strong negotiating position.

Pavlidis is not Barça’s sole option. Eli Junior Kroupi, João Pedro and Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic are also being monitored. Vlahovic is a free agent and would consider a move to Catalonia despite an offer from Besiktas.

An internal solution is also on the table: extending Ferran Torres and restoring his confidence could provide an immediate boost to the front line.

Overall, while the window for Julián Alvarez remains uncertain, FC Barcelone’s transfer strategy now revolves around multiple profiles, with Pavlidis firmly in the mix as the most tangible alternative.