Fabrizio Romano provides Barcelona transfer update which could impact Arsenal

Barcelona could reportedly be ready to start exploring alternatives to Julian Alvarez soon, with Fabrizio Romano linking them with an interest in Sporting Lisbon striker Luis Suarez.

The Colombia international has impressed at Sporting, scoring 38 goals in 53 games in all competitions in his first season for the club.

Prior to that, Suarez also had some experience in La Liga with Almeria, scoring 41 goals in 79 games there, though a large chunk of those actually came in Spain’s second division.

Either way, Romano now says Barca are considering Suarez if there is no progress on their bid to land Alvarez from rivals Atletico…

Not easy as key player for Sporting but part of Barça shortlist.

Barça will only consider Suárez/more options from next week — if Julián deal is still off. pic.twitter.com/LFPEuCW056

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2026

??? EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona consider Sporting striker Luis Suárez among options — if Julián Álvarez deal doesn’t happen.

Not easy as key player for Sporting but part of Barça shortlist.

Barça will only consider Suárez/more options from next week — if Julián deal is still off. pic.twitter.com/LFPEuCW056

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2026

“EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona consider Sporting striker Luis Suárez among options — if Julián Álvarez deal doesn’t happen. Not easy as key player for Sporting but part of Barça shortlist. Barça will only consider Suárez/more options from next week — if Julián deal is still off,” Romano posted on X.

Can Arsenal beat Barcelona to Julian Alvarez transfer?

It perhaps makes sense that Alvarez is Barcelona’s top target, but it’s also surely a difficult deal for them as Atletico won’t want to strengthen another La Liga club.

That could perhaps help Arsenal, so they’ll no doubt be keeping a close eye on this situation and hoping that Barcelona go for Suarez instead.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

There’s even been surprise talk in recent times that Arsenal could try swapping Viktor Gyokeres for Alvarez, as per the Times and others.

In short, if Barca don’t get the Argentina international then it could have a huge domino effect on the strikers market.

Arsenal only signed Gyokeres last summer, but the Sweden international has had mixed reviews despite helping Mikel Arteta’s side to win the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final.

Alvarez would probably be an upgrade, though it seems a bit harsh to also be offloading Gyokeres after just one season.