Barcelona explored move for Bundesliga goal machine before prioritising Julian Alvarez | OneFootball

Harry Kane has once again demonstrated at the 2026 World Cup that he remains one of the elite strikers in world football.

At 32, the England captain continues to combine clinical finishing with exceptional vision, qualities that Thomas Tuchel has built his team around.

Kane’s opening performances at the tournament have showcased not only his goalscoring instincts but also his ability to drop into midfield and dictate play.

It is the same all-round game that made him one of Bayern Munich’s standout performers this season and earned him a place on Barcelona’s radar when the club began preparing for life after Robert Lewandowski.

Barcelona explored the possibility of signing Kane

Barcelona never made a formal offer for Kane, but they did seek to gauge the striker’s willingness to consider a move should the club decide to pursue him seriously, according to SPORT.

Barcelona explored a move for Kane. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

However, the response they received quickly dampened any initial interest. Kane is happy in Munich and has little desire to leave.

After years at Tottenham without regularly competing for the biggest honours, he has found exactly what he was looking for at Bayern: a dominant domestic force and a club capable of challenging for the Champions League.

Under Vincent Kompany, Bayern came close to reaching this season’s final after an epic semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, reinforcing Kane’s belief that he is in the right place.

Julian Alvarez offered a different response

Kane’s stance contrasted sharply with the attitude Barcelona encountered from Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, who is now the club’s priority target for the No. 9 position.

From the outset, the Argentine forward showed a strong willingness to join the Catalan club. That openness has helped establish him as the preferred option for both Deco and Hansi Flick.

Barcelona’s priority target. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Within the club, there is a belief that Alvarez possesses everything required to thrive at Barcelona. He combines goals with intelligent link-up play and is equally valued for his tireless work without the ball.

Flick’s demands are clear

The arrival of Anthony Gordon earlier in the summer underlined Hansi Flick’s intentions.

The German coach has no plans to compromise on his footballing philosophy. He wants attackers who contribute aggressively to the press and help maintain the team’s defensive structure. In that regard, Alvarez fits the profile perfectly.

While Harry Kane remains one of the world’s outstanding forwards, his commitment to Bayern Munich effectively cooled Barcelona’s interest.

As a result, the focus remains firmly on Alvarez, the striker who has consistently shown both the desire and the qualities to become the next focal point of Flick’s attack.