Barcelona are keeping Lautaro Martínez in reserve as a fallback option should their pursuit of Julián Álvarez collapse, according to the club's transfer planning. The move is part of a broader strategy to prepare for life after Robert Lewandowski, with the Catalan side looking to stay flexible in a volatile market.
Why Martínez is the fallback
The club's interest in the Inter Milan striker isn't new. But it's now being framed as a contingency rather than a primary target. If the Álvarez deal doesn't go through, Barcelona would turn to Martínez as a proven alternative. That's a practical approach, not a panic move.
Martínez has been on Barcelona's radar for years. He's a different profile from Álvarez — more of a physical presence, less of a pressing forward — but he's also someone who can lead the line in the short term while younger options develop. The club sees him as a reliable stopgap, not a long-term solution.
Post-Lewandowski planning
Lewandowski turns 36 this summer. His contract runs through 2026, but Barcelona are already thinking about who takes over. The Polish striker's output remains strong, but the club can't afford to wait until the last minute to find his successor.
That's why both Álvarez and Martínez are on the list. They're different answers to the same question: who leads the attack when Lewandowski steps aside? Álvarez offers youth and energy, Martínez brings experience and a proven track record in Europe. Either way, Barcelona want to avoid being caught short.
Adaptability in the transfer market
The approach reflects a broader shift in how Barcelona operate. With financial constraints still looming, they can't chase one name and ignore everything else. Keeping multiple options alive — even if one is clearly preferred — gives them room to react if prices change or other clubs swoop in.
That's not just about strikers. The same logic applies across the squad. Barcelona are trying to build a team that can adapt to whatever the market throws at them, rather than locking onto a single target and hoping for the best.
For now, the focus remains on Álvarez. But the club's willingness to pivot to Martínez shows they're not putting all their eggs in one basket. The next few weeks will determine which path they take.
