Barcelona’S Plan B… or Just Plan “that Didn’T Work Out”

As the Julián Álvarez deal looks increasingly unrealistic, Barcelona have reportedly activated their backup option. According to Barca Blaugranes, ESPN and Goal, the Catalan club have opened talks over Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth as an alternative if Atlético Madrid refuse to negotiate.

It’s becoming a familiar script. Barcelona announce a dream target, discover the asking price, and then explain that their “Plan B” was always part of the strategy. The only problem is that Bournemouth reportedly have no intention of selling their young striker and are said to value him at up to €100 million. Apparently, Premier League clubs have learned that negotiating with Barça starts with setting the price before the excuses begin.

Kroupi, still only 20, enjoyed an outstanding campaign. He scored 12 Premier League goals, matching the best teenage scoring season in the competition’s history alongside legends like Robbie Fowler and Robbie Keane. A year earlier, he finished as Ligue 2’s top scorer with 22 goals. The talent is obvious. The real question is whether he’d trade steady development for a front-row seat to Barcelona’s never-ending financial balancing act.