Osimhen to Barcelona? How Atlético, Inter have complicated Barça’s striker search

Nigeria and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen could be back in the conversation as Barcelona’s search for a new No. 9 has taken an interesting turn, Afrik-Foot reports.

Julián Álvarez is still the Spanish giants’ preferred target, but Atlético Madrid’s refusal to sell has made the deal hard to complete. Inter Milan have also closed the door on Lautaro Martínez.

That leaves Arsenal-linked Victor Osimhen as a more realistic option for Barcelona to explore, according to TEAMtalk. The Nigerian is not an easy signing, but his situation gives Deco another path as the transfer window enters its final phase.

Álvarez and Martínez have closed doors, Osimhen has a different problem

Álvarez is the clearest example of Barcelona’s problem. The Argentina forward has told Atlético that he wants a transfer and has spoken publicly about wanting to fulfil his dream. Yet Atlético have refused to give Barcelona a way into the deal.

Atlético CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín went further in July. He said the club would not accept €100 million, €150 million or even €200 million for Álvarez. His contract runs until 2030 and has a €500 million release clause. Atlético also filed a complaint over Barcelona’s efforts to pursue the player.

The Álvarez chase has therefore become a fight between Barcelona’s desire and Atlético’s power to say no.

Lautaro presents a similar obstacle. Inter’s captain signed a contract extension until 2029 in August 2024. He is not a player Inter need to sell, and TEAMtalk reports that the Italian club have already rejected approaches and insist he will stay at San Siro.

Osimhen’s case is different. Galatasaray also have a strong position. They signed him permanently from Napoli for €75 million in July 2025 on a four-year contract. Galatasaray have also said there is no release clause in his deal.

Yet the reports suggest that Osimhen is firmly on Deco’s radar and has been discussed as a genuine late-window option if Barcelona cannot solve the Álvarez situation. That makes him realistic in a relative sense, not because Galatasaray are eager to sell.

There is also a football reason for Barcelona’s interest. Osimhen, who Robbie Fowler thinks is no world-class, offers the classic centre-forward qualities the club would lose after Robert Lewandowski’s departure. Lewandowski left Barça in May after scoring 120 goals in four seasons.

Osimhen brings speed, power, aggressive movement and penalty-box finishing. That is why the Nigerian now makes sense as Barcelona’s practical Plan B. Atlético have made Álvarez extremely difficult to buy. Inter have made Martínez effectively unavailable. Galatasaray can still demand a major fee for Osimhen, but Barcelona at least have a player who is being discussed as a genuine alternative.