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Barcelona have been in hot pursuit of Juventus striker Alvaro Morata ever since the January transfer window opened.
Blaugrana had to face the departure of club icon Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain and the unfortunate medical situation of Sergio Aguero. They now find themselves lacking an orthodox striker in their ranks.
It is no secret that Barcelona have shown serious interest in Morata. The Spaniard has been linked with the club for a couple of weeks, with the likelihood of a transfer seemingly building with time.
However, Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri spoke to the press recently and informed them of their intention to keep Morata at the club. His words offered a touch of clarity to not only Barcelona but also their fans globally who were waiting eagerly on an outcome.
With the move looking highly improbable now, let's take a look at five players Barcelona can sign instead of Morata.
#5. Julian Alvarez - River Plate
Julian Alvarez is one of the biggest young prospects in world football today.
The 21-year-old made his debut for Argentinian side River Plate in 2018 and has been on an incredible growth curve ever since. Alvarez is highly versatile in attack and is capable of operating as a striker as well as a winger.
The Argentine has an excellent record for his club. In his 96 appearances over the last three years, Alvarez has scored 36 goals while also providing 25 assists. His numbers have seen him earn the attention of several top clubs.
Despite his inexperience on Europe's biggest stages, there is no doubt that Alvarez brings a high level of skill and quality. Carrying a market value of £18 million, Alvarez could be one to look at for the future.
#4. Lautaro Martinez - Inter Milan
Lautaro Martinez has been linked with Barcelona for a couple of years now.
The Argentine has recently cemented himself as one of Europe's premier strikers. His career with Inter Milan has seen some serious upward growth ever since he signed from Racing Club in 2018.
Martinez's numbers are quite impressive as well. He has scored 60 goals in his 155 appearances for the club, while also registering 22 assists. Considering he has no prior experience or exposure to any of the top five leagues, his numbers stand out.
Martinez has admitted in the past that he was close to a move to Barcelona but it fell through due to issues faced by the club.
Martinez would certainly be a great option, especially considering his age and his impeccable goalscoring ability.
#3. Alexander Isak - Real Sociedad
Alexander Isak is a name that has been on the lips of the entire footballing world over the past year and a half.
The 22-year-old made his debut with AIK in Sweden before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2017. Isak made only a handful of appearances for Dortmund and went on to join Real Sociedad in 2019.
Isak's career has seen a meteoric rise ever since his move to the sunny shores of Spain. He is now an established goalscorer, a fact that is well represented by his record so far with the club.
Isak has scored 41 goals for the club in the last two years and has developed into a promising young striker. His efforts earned him a call-up to the Swedish national team for UEFA Euro 2020, where he impressed on the national stage.
There is no doubt Isak is bound for a big move in the coming windows. Considering the financial situation faced by Barcelona currently, Isak could end up moving to a club that can offer a higher wage and a more successful career.
#2. Dani Olmo - RB Leipzig
Dani Olmo has emerged as one of the premier young talents in world football today.
The Spaniard represented Dinamo Zagreb for five years before joining German outfit RB Leipzig in 2020. His stock has grown exponentially since then, especially considering his performances across all competitions. He has scored 12 goals in 67 games for RB Leipzig so far.
Olmo is incredibly versatile in attack. He is more than capable of playing on either wing and can be deployed as a striker as well. His versatility and two-footedness are his biggest strengths.
The 23-year-old was called up to Spain for UEFA Euro 2020. He was a key member of the team that went all the way to the semifinals of the competition, losing to eventual winners Italy. Olmo established himself as a premier talent on the world stage.
Having been linked in the past with Olmo, Barcelona certainly have undeniable interest in the Spaniard. Olmo would be a great addition to the Blaugrana squad.
#1. Edinson Cavani - Manchester United
Edinson Cavani is one of the best striker options in the market right now.
Manchester United currently have a plethora of attacking options. Hence, it would be imperative for them to release fringe players while they still command value in the market.
Edinson Cavani is a bonafide legend of modern-day football. The Uruguayan has enjoyed a long and successful career spanning over 15 years and still continues to perform like he is at the peak of his powers.
Cavani is most well-known for his time with French outfit Paris Saint-Germain. Cavani won six Ligue 1 titles, six Coupe de la Ligue awards and five Coupe de France trophies during his seven years with the club.
Cavani is also the club's all-time record goalscorer with 200 goals to his name in 301 appearances. He was signed by Manchester United last year. He now finds himself battling for minutes with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford.
Cavani is certainly an option for Barcelona to consider. His experience and goalscoring ability makes him a standout option for the Camp Nou outfit.
