Barcelona transfer news: Barca move for Spain's World Cup sensation as Julian Alvarez pursuit stalls

Barcelona are monitoring Real Sociedad skipper Mikel Oyarzabal arsenic a imaginable backup program to Julian Alvarez, but the Spain planetary has made emphatically wide that helium has nary volition of leaving his boyhood club.

Oyarzabal has been 1 of the standout performers of the 2026 World Cup, scoring 4 goals successful 4 appearances for Spain nether Luis de la Fuente.

That signifier reflects a consistently awesome 2025-26 run astatine nine level, wherever helium netted 15 La Liga goals and reasserted himself arsenic Real Sociedad's astir important attacking player.

Barcelona oculus Oyarzabal arsenic Alvarez backup

With Robert Lewandowski having departed astatine the extremity of past season, Barcelona are successful the marketplace for a caller centre-forward.

Julian Alvarez remains the priority, having publically expressed his tendency to permission Atletico Madrid, but negotiations are proving hard — the Rojiblancos person rejected bids successful the portion of £85m and volition not merchantability to a nonstop Spanish rival.

With Alvarez talks stalled, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has made wide the nine volition not hold indefinitely and has instructed the sporting section to place alternatives.

Oyarzabal — versatile capable to run done the mediate oregon from wide, decisive successful beforehand of extremity and successful outstanding signifier — has emerged arsenic 1 of those contingency options, according to sources successful Spain.

Oyarzabal shuts doorway connected immoderate summertime move

The striker, however, was unequivocal erstwhile asked astir the speculation. Speaking to El Partidazo connected Spanish vigor presumption COPE, Oyarzabal showed nary involvement successful entertaining a transfer.

'I person said galore times that I americium precise blessed astatine Real Sociedad,' helium said. 'This nine is my home, and it stood by maine successful the astir hard moments of my career. Thanks to Real Sociedad, I americium wherever I americium today. I bash not person overmuch much to add.'

Those words transportation sizeable weight. Born successful Eibar and developed wholly done Real Sociedad's academy, Oyarzabal has made 437 appearances, scored 133 goals and captained the club. People adjacent to the player, according to Sport, judge helium intends to walk his full vocation astatine the nine — progressively uncommon successful the modern game.

His declaration runs until June 2028, strengthening Real Sociedad's negotiating presumption successful immoderate imaginable sale.

For now, the striker's absorption remains firmly connected the World Cup. Spain's apical scorer astatine the tourney and 1 of its astir influential players, Oyarzabal is targeting a quarter-final spot and, ultimately, glory with La Roja.