Riddled by financial difficulties, the Catalans have some severe limitations to be cautious of. At this point in time, La Blaugrana can not compete with the best in terms of record-breaking signings. Consequently, looking for low-cost alternatives or upcoming stars worth investing in are the options Barca prefers.

EUR50 million release clause Having already agreed to spend close to EUR30 million in fixed alongside more in variables for Vitor Roque, Barcelona would only invest an amount like this if it is an undeniable opportunity to take. It just so happens that, a similar opportunity currently exists within the English Premier League.

According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Manchester City star Julian Alvarez has a rather affordable release clause. As per the report, the 23-year-old Argentinian forward has a EUR50 million release clause. Not a low figure, but certainly much less than what a club may have to pay through negotiations to get Alvarez.

Aspiring Argentinian Already among the elite strikers of Europe, Alvarez's numbers speak for themselves. This season, the striker has scored 6 goals and provided 5 assists from 13 games.

Eleven out of those thirteen games were played as a starter by the player. Moreover, even last season saw the young striker score 17 goals in 49 games. Moreover, many of those appearances by Alvarez came as a substitute.

He also performed extraordinarily at the FIFA World Cup last year in November. Playing in 7 games, 5 of them as a starter, the young Argentinean striker scored 4 goals during the grand tournament. Behind only Lionel Messi (7) and Kylian Mbappe (8).

Alvarez managed those goals in just 467 minutes. Moreover, he ended up winning the tournament with Argentina as well. Some key performances from Alvarez even crucially ended up winning games for the South American giants.

Erling Haaland's shadow While Pep Guardiola and Manchester City will definitely not want to part ways with their star, he is not exactly the first-choice at City. In the shadow of a still young and hungry Erling Haaland, Alvarez has had to wait for opportunities himself.

Injuries to key players and out-of-form wingers have allowed the 23-year-old to have more game time this season. However, it is not absurd to imagine he may be pushed back to the bench once these players return. Yet, with Barcelona, he is at least guaranteed a future.

Unlike Haaland, Robert Lewandowski is 35 years old, and will not be playing for much longer. This could prove to be great news for Alvarez, who could learn from one of the best strikers of this generation and then become his successor alongside Vitor Roque.

Despite that, it is still a long way from happening and these are just initial reports at the moment. However, if the EUR50 million release clause does in fact exist, Barcelona will just be one among many who would go after it. The summer is still far away, but speculation concerning the biggest clubs in the world never stops.