Barcelona add Sporting CP's Luis Suarez to striker shortlist

Barcelona have officially added Sporting CP forward Luis Suarez to their shortlist of potential striker signings. The Catalan club is considering the Colombian as a backup option should their pursuit of Julian Alvarez fail.

While Alvarez remains the primary target for the club, negotiations could change their strategy. Atletico Madrid have maintained that the Argentina international is not available for sale, which may force Barcelona to pivot to other candidates.

If discussions regarding Alvarez stall, Barcelona plans to evaluate Suarez and other potential targets starting next week. The club has already ruled out Victor Osimhen, who currently plays for Galatasaray. Although the Nigerian striker has been linked to the club, Barcelona do not believe his profile matches their requirements.

Barcelona's recruitment strategy focuses on finding younger and more affordable players. This preference means Osimhen is unlikely to be pursued even if the deal for Alvarez does not happen. This situation leaves the Galatasaray forward as a possibility for other clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham.

Securing Suarez would not be a simple process, as the striker is viewed as a vital component of the Sporting CP squad. However, adding him to the shortlist shows that Barcelona are preparing for various outcomes in the transfer market.