Barcelona identify 21 G/A Villarreal striker as Julian Alvarez Plan B amid €65m asking price | OneFootball

Barcelona are continuing to push for the signing of Julian Alvarez, but the Catalan giants are not prepared to wait indefinitely for Atletico Madrid to change their position.

With the Alvarez operation still at a standstill, Barcelona have begun looking at alternative options. 

On that note, according to SPORT, Villarreal striker Georges Mikautadze has emerged as a potential Plan B if the Blaugrana are unable to complete a deal for their priority target.

The report claims that Barcelona have already made contact with Mikautadze’s representatives, while the Georgian international is said to be open to the possibility of joining the club.

For now, though, Julian Alvarez remains Barcelona’s preferred option, but with Atletico Madrid yet to give the green light for his departure, Barcelona transfer plans could take an interesting turn.

Barcelona pushing for Alvarez but deal blocked

Barcelona’s sporting department remains focused on finding a way to bring Julian Alvarez to Spotify Camp Nou.

The Argentine forward has already returned to training with Atletico Madrid, but his desire to play for Barcelona has not changed. 

Georges Mikautadze is on Barcelona’s radar. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

According to the report, Alvarez has made his position clear to Diego Simeone following discussions before one of Atletico’s training sessions.

However, a player’s desire alone will not be enough to complete the transfer.

The operation remains blocked, and Barcelona are aware that they cannot allow the situation to drag on without preparing other options. 

That is why the club have reportedly started exploring the market for another striker who could fit their sporting and financial plans.

This is where Georges Mikautadze has entered the picture.

The Villarreal forward is understood to be one of the names being considered if Barcelona eventually decide that the Julian Alvarez transfer is no longer possible. 

While there is no suggestion that Barça have abandoned their pursuit of Alvarez, the club is clearly preparing for every possible outcome.

Mikautadze gives Barcelona an alternative to Alvarez

Georges Mikautadze scored 15 goals for Villarreal last season. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

According to sources, Barcelona have already contacted Mikautadze’s entourage to explore the conditions of a possible move.

Reports cited by the Spanish outlet also suggest that the Georgian striker has given a positive response to the prospect of joining Barcelona.

Notably, Villarreal signed the forward from Olympique Lyon in September 2025 for €31 million, with a further €5 million in possible variables. He signed a six-year contract running until 2031.

That long-term contract, just like Julian Alvarez’s, gives Villarreal a strong position in any negotiations.

Hence, the Yellow Submarine are reportedly expected to demand between €60 million and €65 million for Mikautadze, who scored 15 goals and provided six assists for Villarreal last season. 

It would still represent a major financial commitment from Barcelona, but the overall investment could be more accessible than the amount required to convince Atletico Madrid to sell Alvarez.