The problem is that most of the well-known strikers established at their major European clubs would cost Barcelona enormous sums. The solution may instead lie in finding a less famous player with characteristics similar to Álvarez.
Data from “Gradient Sports” allows a set of indicators tied to Álvarez’s playing style to be compared, then used to hunt down players who come close to him in those areas. Georges Mikautadze stands out as one of the most intriguing names.
The Georgian striker has moved between Metz, Lyon and Villarreal over two years, and his eye-catching performances for his national team at Euro 2024 helped his stock rise sharply. Mikautadze delivered standout displays in his first season in the Spanish league, scoring 13 goals and providing 6 assists in a little over 2,000 minutes.
His strength does not lie only in finishing off attacks. He also boasts distinctive touches inside the box, along with a clear knack for creating chances and moving into the right spaces. The catch is his soaring value, with the release clause in his contract rising from 60 million euros to 76 million in mid-August.
That figure puts him close to the cost of Oyarzabal, yet Mikautadze holds one important edge: his age. At 25, he still has room to grow, which gives the deal greater value in the long term.
Sebastiano Esposito represents a different option. The former Inter Milan player was rated for years as a promising talent, but his career took him through eight loan spells that hampered his stability and development. His permanent move to Cagliari could mark a fresh start.
Last season Esposito played as a striker more inclined towards creating play within a forward pairing, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists in the Italian league. He can drop back to receive the ball, then turn and burst forward or slide passes into the spaces, traits that echo aspects of Álvarez’s style.
There is a problem off the pitch that must be weighed up. Cagliari hit the player with a disciplinary sanction this summer after he missed pre-season without permission, against the backdrop of a contractual dispute. It underlines a key factor in any signing: technical similarity alone is not enough to make a decision of this magnitude.