Barcelona are looking for alternatives to Julian Alvarez, who's also been linked with Arsenal, and Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as a shock target for the La Liga giants
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 9: Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal during the during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres is on Barcelona's radar(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres is reportedly wanted by Barcelona in a shock transfer move. Gyokeres, 28, is viewed as an alternative to Julian Alvarez, who Atletico Madrid are refusing to sell with two weeks until deadline day.
Barca want to sign a replacement for Ferran Torres following his move to Paris Saint-Germain for €50million (£43m). Hansi Flick has also lost the goals of Robert Lewandowski, who left the Camp Nou upon the expiry of his contract in June.
Their challenging search for a new striker is claimed to have led them to Gyokeres. Spanish outlet El Chiringuito reported on Monday that Barcelona will make their move for the Sweden international in the 'next few hours'.
Barca plan to explore the conditions of a deal, having also been linked with Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez and Sporting Lisbon's Luis Suarez. It was Suarez who replaced Gyokeres in the Portuguese capital a year ago after Arsenal shelled out £64m to sign him.
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Gyokeres scored 21 goals in his debut season with the Gunners, but the jury is still out regarding his suitability in Mikel Arteta's system. The 28-year-old was benched for the Champions League final in May while Kai Havertz was preferred again for Sunday's 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Havertz has scored or assisted in six of his last seven competitive appearances for Arsenal and is set to lead the line when Arteta's side host Coventry on Friday to begin their Premier League title defence. Not counting friendlies, Gyokeres has now gone six games without a goal for Arsenal.
Before Barcelona's interest emerged, Gyokeres was linked with Atletico as Arsenal considered a move of their own for Alvarez. But a swap deal is unlikely, especially given that Atletico have already turned down bids from both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 23: Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and Elche CF at Wanda Metropolitano on August 23, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez is expected to stay at Atletico Madrid(Image: Diego Souto/Getty Images)
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Earlier this month, Diego Simeone reiterated that Alvarez would be staying at the Wanda Metropolitano. "The situation is very clear," the Atletico manager stated. "The club took a decision which [CEO Gil Marin] Miguel Angel explained well.
"We are very happy with Julian. From the sporting side of things, we will help him keep growing and improving so that he can give us what he has given us over these two years at the club so far, which was a mountain of things."
Atletico will start their La Liga campaign at home to newly promoted Malaga on Wednesday. Alvarez didn't feature in pre-season, having been given extra time off following Argentina's run to the World Cup final.