Barcelona interested in Harry Kane but Julian Alvarez remains top target

By Karan Malhotra — 29 June 2026 — 3 min read

Barcelona has reportedly shown interest in signing Bayern Munich forward and England captain Harry Kane. However, sources indicate that Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid remains the primary target for the Catalan club.

Kane and his family are reportedly content in Munich, and his current focus is on England‘s campaign in the World Cup. Despite having one year remaining on his contract, both Bayern Munich and Kane are understood to be relaxed about his contract situation.

This season, Kane has achieved significant success, scoring 61 club goals and providing seven assists during the 2025/26 season. He has also netted three goals in the World Cup.

Kane‘s performance led him to win three trophies this season: the German Super Cup, the Bundesliga, and the DFB Pokal. He also secured the European Golden Shoe as the leading goalscorer across Europe’s top five leagues, marking his second time receiving this award. Only a few players have achieved this feat twice, with Lionel Messi (6) and Cristiano Ronaldo (4) having more.

According to reports, Barcelona made an enquiry regarding Kane but were informed that he does not wish to leave Bayern Munich this summer. This has reportedly halted their immediate interest, despite their admiration for his quality, experience, and goalscoring record.

Barcelona’s Striker Search

Barcelona is actively seeking a new striker to fill the void left by Robert Lewandowski, who departed the club at the end of last season after his contract expired. Lewandowski is now expected to join Chicago Fire in MLS.

While Kane‘s quality is acknowledged, Julian Alvarez is reportedly Barcelona‘s first choice. Alvarez has publicly expressed his desire to join the club, a key factor distinguishing him from Kane, who is settled at Bayern Munich.

Alvarez is also said to fit the tactical preferences of coach Hansi Flick, known for his ability to press, combine, attack space, and play across the front line. He is described as a modern forward capable of enhancing the team’s overall attacking aggression, rather than solely being a box striker.

Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona stadium Credit: barcauniversal.com

However, securing Alvarez will not be straightforward, as Atletico Madrid is reportedly resistant to selling him to Barcelona. This presents a different challenge compared to the situation with Kane, where the player’s lack of interest is the main obstacle.

The Importance of Player Desire

For Barcelona, the desire of the player to make the move is a crucial factor. The club needs a striker who not only fits their team profile but is also motivated enough to push for the transfer.

With Kane unlikely to be an option this summer, Barcelona is expected to concentrate its efforts on signing Julian Alvarez. His explicit interest in joining the club makes him a priority target for the Catalan side.

The situation highlights the dual challenges Barcelona faces in the transfer market: overcoming a player’s contentment at their current club, as with Kane, and navigating the resistance of a selling club, as with Atletico Madrid regarding Alvarez. Kane scored 61 club goals in games in the 2025/26 season.