Barcelona have made a “formal inquiry” about Alexander Sorloth as they seek a replacement for Robert Lewandowski. The Norwegian striker has emerged as a realistic and financially viable option in the Catalan club’s search for attacking reinforcements ahead of the 2026/27 season. Barcelona have apparently turned to Alexander Sorloth as he has a similar profile to Lewandowski and could “adapt immediately” to Hansi Flick’s side. The interest comes at a crucial time when the club’s long-term striker situation remains uncertain.

Why Barcelona Are Targeting Alexander Sorloth

Hansi Flick prioritises a striker with proven La Liga experience, especially since a potential deal for Marcus Rashford has cooled due to Manchester United’s high valuation. While Lewandowski was originally expected to stay, his hesitation over a reduced-salary renewal has forced the sports management to look at more feasible market options.

According to reports, Alexander Sorloth fits the specific physical requirements demanded by Flick, standing at 1.95m and possessing the ability to play with his back to goal. He is a striker who is quick for his size, strong in the air, and has a powerful left-footed shot. He is also a team player who could accept a secondary role. Barcelona are all too familiar with Alexander Sorloth’s capabilities, with the 30-year-old enjoying himself against the Catalans. In 15 appearances, he has seven goals and three assists against Barcelona.

Alexander Sorloth Player Profile

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Alexander Sørloth
Date of Birth	5 December 1995
Age	30 years
Height	1.95m (6’5″)
Nationality	Norwegian
Current Club	Atlético Madrid
Position	Striker
Preferred Foot	Left
Contract Until	2028
Release Clause	€35 million

Career Journey

Alexander Sørloth is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a striker for La Liga club Atlético Madrid and the Norway national team. Sørloth started his career at Rosenborg, before spending a loan period at Bodø/Glimt in 2015. Following this, he transferred to Groningen in the Netherlands and then to Midtjylland in Denmark.

In 2018, he joined Crystal Palace in England, followed by loan spells at Gent in Belgium and Trabzonspor in Turkey. He moved to RB Leipzig in Germany in 2020 and later spent two seasons on loan at Real Sociedad in Spain. In 2023, he joined Villarreal, before transferring to Atlético Madrid in 2024. During his time at Villarreal, he scored four goals in a 4–4 draw against Real Madrid, reaching 23 goals without penalty kicks in the 2023–24 season as La Liga’s top scorer with one match remaining.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MARCH 27: Alexander Sorloth of Norway applauds the fans after the International Friendly match between Netherlands and Norway at the Johan Cruijff Arena on March 27, 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)

2025/26 Season Statistics

Competition	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Minutes
La Liga	30	10	0	1,682
UEFA Champions League	13	6	1	585
Copa del Rey	4	1	0	116
Total	47	17	1	2,383

Alexander Sorloth has two years remaining on his Atlético deal and has 17 goals and an assist in his 47 appearances, despite only starting 24 of those games.

Financial Considerations

The interest from Barcelona is not merely tactical but also financial. With a release clause set at 35 million euros, Alexander Sorloth represents a market opportunity considered accessible by today’s elite European football standards. While Alexander Sorloth remains an important piece for Diego Simeone, the established dominance of Julian Alvarez as the primary attacking figure has restricted his regular starting opportunities. Atlético may be forced to sanction a sale to balance their accounts, with a fee of €25-30 million potentially enough to spark formal negotiations. This makes the 30-year-old a much more manageable financial option for Barcelona than other elite strikers currently on the market.

Other Targets and Context

Julian Alvarez has previously appeared to be Barcelona’s top attacking target, but reports suggest that Alexander Sorloth is also firmly on the club’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window. Alexander Sorloth would be a lower profile option than the likes of Alvarez or Victor Osimhen. In the recent Champions League quarter-final tie between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, Alexander Sorloth played a key role in Barcelona’s elimination, scoring in the first leg at Camp Nou and drawing the red card for Eric Garcia in the second leg at the Metropolitano.

The coming weeks will be decisive in determining whether the interest evolves into a formal bid. The sporting directorate is maintaining discreet monitoring, but the signal sent to the market is clear: Barcelona will not be caught off guard if their main star decides to end his cycle in Catalonia.

FAQs

Has Barcelona signed Alexander Sorloth?

No. Barcelona have only made a formal inquiry so far; no agreement or official bid has been submitted.

What is Alexander Sorloth’s release clause at Atlético Madrid?

The Norwegian striker has a €35 million release clause in his contract, which runs until 2028.

Why is Barcelona interested in Alexander Sorloth?

He fits Hansi Flick’s preferred physical profile as a tall, powerful striker and offers La Liga-proven experience as a potential successor or backup to Robert Lewandowski.

How many goals has Alexander Sorloth scored this season?

The 30-year-old has scored 17 goals across all competitions in the 2025/26 season for Atlético Madrid.

How has Alexander Sorloth performed against Barcelona?

He has an impressive record of seven goals and three assists in 15 appearances against Barcelona while playing for Real Sociedad, Villarreal, and Atlético Madrid.