Barcelona have spent much of the summer transfer window focused on signing Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.
Robert Lewandowski left the Catalan giants at the end of last season upon the expiry of his contract, leaving the No. 9 jersey vacant.
Hansi Flick had chosen Alvarez as the marquee No. 9 he wanted to replace the outgoing Pole, but Atletico have refused to negotiate so far.
Earlier this week, it emerged that Barça had identified Sporting CP striker Luis Suarez as an alternative if they were not able to land Alvarez.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have decided against activating the €80 million release clause of the Sporting CP striker.
Sporting refuse to lower €80 million asking price
Barcelona will not activate Luis Suarez’s release clause. (Photo by Andres Rot/Getty Images)
Barça consider the €80 million price tag too expensive and have no intention of meeting the clause. Sporting, meanwhile, are standing firm and will not offer Barcelona a discount.
That position leaves very little room for negotiations. Sporting are prepared to keep Suarez unless his release clause is paid, while Barcelona are unwilling to commit that level of money to the 28-year-old.
The Colombian certainly offers an interesting profile as a natural centre-forward, but the finances make the operation extremely difficult to justify.
Barcelona’s decision is understandable. Spending €80 million would represent a huge investment for a player who would arrive with significant expectations and limited resale value because of his age.
Barça will have to look elsewhere
Barça seem to have found themselves in a bottomless pit in their search for a new striker this summer.
Barcelona were interested in Luis Suarez. (Photo by Andres Rot/Getty Images)
Ferran Torres’ move to PSG has made the situation even more urgent, but the problem is that selling teams are also aware of the Catalan club’s desperation.
Irrespective of whether it is Alvarez, Luis Suarez or some other striker, every club in the market is trying to drive their price up when Barça come knocking.
Deco has effectively put himself in a very difficult situation where the club have focused on Alvarez for far too long, leaving no realistic alternatives seemingly available on the market.
Barça are spot on in their decision not to overpay for Suarez, but the club need to find a new striker in this increasingly scarce market with just about two weeks to go.
Their best bet is also their most unrealistic one, and it remains to be seen whether Atletico undergo a change of heart in the final weeks of the window.