Sports
Transfer: Barcelona Turn to Osimhen as Atlético Block Alvarez Move
Spanish giants FC Barcelona are reportedly shifting their transfer focus to Victor Osimhen after facing difficulties in their pursuit of Julián Álvarez.
Barcelona had initially identified Álvarez as their top target ahead of the summer transfer window, but Atlético Madrid have made it clear they are unwilling to part ways with the striker easily.
The Argentine forward, who joined Atlético in 2024, is reportedly valued at around €200 million, a fee that would place him among the most expensive transfers in football history.
However, Barcelona are believed to be unable to meet such demands, with reports suggesting the club is only willing to offer about €70 million far below Atlético’s valuation.
With negotiations proving difficult and Atlético maintaining a firm stance, Barcelona have begun exploring alternative options, including Osimhen, as a potential long-term replacement for veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.
Osimhen, currently one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards, is valued at around €75 million. The Nigerian striker has continued to attract interest from top clubs, and Barcelona now see him as a more realistic signing compared to Álvarez.
Financial constraints remain a key challenge for the Catalan club, limiting their ability to make big-money signings. While they are reportedly considering a player-plus-cash deal for Álvarez, such an offer is unlikely to appeal to Atlético Madrid.
With Atlético no longer under financial pressure to sell, Barcelona’s chances of landing Álvarez appear slim unless they table a significantly improved bid.
As a result, attention is increasingly turning to Osimhen, who is viewed as a more attainable option as Barcelona look to strengthen their attack ahead of next season.
Arsenal qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League, despite playing a goalless draw with Sporting on Wednesday night.
The Gunners had won the first leg 1-0 in Portugal thanks to Kai Havertz’s late winner.
At the Emirates, the chances were far and few as both teams hit the woodwork but failed to score.
Arsenal will now play Atletico Madrid, who eliminated Barcelona.
In the other quarter-final, Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid 4-3 at the Allianz Arena.
The Bundesliga champions had won the first leg 1-0 at the Bernabeu.
Bayern Munich will play Paris Saint-Germain for a place in the final.
Football superstar Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Association are facing a lawsuit in the United States over allegations of fraud and breach of contract linked to two Argentina exhibition matches held in October.
A Miami-based sports and entertainment company, VID, filed the suit in Florida, claiming it paid about $7 million for exclusive rights to stage Argentina friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, with the expectation that Messi would feature in both games.
According to the filing, Messi was contractually required to play at least 30 minutes in each match unless he was injured. However, the company alleges he did not take part in either game, instead watching from the stands during at least one of the fixtures.
Reports say Messi attended the match in Miami but did not play, choosing to remain available for his club commitments with Inter Miami the following day. The second fixture against Puerto Rico was also moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, a change the promoters say led to significant financial losses, reportedly over $1 million.
VID further claims the AFA had promised compensation through a future friendly match in China in 2026, which never materialised.
The company is now seeking damages, alleging it suffered heavy financial losses due to unmet contractual expectations.
This is not the first time Messi’s absence from promotional matches has triggered legal action, as similar disputes have previously emerged involving ticketing and advertising expectations around his participation.
Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid have qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League.
This follows the completion of the quarter-final second legs on Tuesday.
In the first game, PSG travelled to Liverpool with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.
Although there were no goals in the first half, Ousmane Dembele netted twice after the break as the holders progressed into the final four.
At the Wanda Metropolitano, Atletico qualified for the semi-final despite losing 2-1.
Diego Simeone’s men had won 2-0 at the Nou Camp and at home, Ademola Lookman’s goal proved crucial after Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres levelled the tie on aggregate/
PSG will face the winner of Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid, while Atletico Madrid await the winner of Arsenal vs Sporting.
UCL: Real Madrid, Sporting out as Bayern Munich, Arsenal reach semi-finals
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