Barcelona continue to pursue defensive alternatives as their primary target Julian Alvarez remains out of reach, with Hoffenheim’s Fisnik Asllani emerging as a potential Plan B option. The 10-goal, nine-assist Bundesliga performer has caught the attention of multiple top European clubs heading into the summer transfer window.
Leipzig Lead the Race
RB Leipzig have positioned themselves as frontrunners to land the Kosovar forward, according to BILD. The German club are on the cusp of securing Asllani’s signature after the winger opted out of Hoffenheim’s pre-season preparations.
Leipzig must activate Asllani’s €30 million release clause to complete the transfer. The deal remains unsigned, but the Bundesliga side hold a substantial advantage over their rivals in negotiations.
Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund have both registered interest in the attacker, yet neither club currently occupies as strong a negotiating position as Leipzig.
Leipzig’s Squad Depth Creates Complications
A critical stumbling block threatens to derail Leipzig’s pursuit. The club already possess considerable attacking depth through Conrad Harder, Romulo, and 17-year-old prospect Samba Konate.
Before triggering Asllani’s release clause, Leipzig must offload at least one of those three players to create space in their squad. This hesitation has opened a potential window for Barcelona to resurface their interest.
The delays in Leipzig’s decision-making could prove decisive in the coming weeks, particularly given Asllani’s documented willingness to join Barcelona and compete at Camp Nou.
Barcelona’s Path Remains Open
Despite their secondary status in the current pecking order, the Catalan outfit retain a realistic opportunity to acquire the forward if Leipzig falter. Asllani’s preference for a Barcelona move provides an additional incentive should the Spanish giants accelerate their efforts.
However, Barcelona’s immediate strategy centres on maintaining patience while awaiting developments in the Alvarez saga. The club simultaneously face the prospect of losing Ferran Torres, whose continued presence is under threat from PSG interest.
The club’s ability to retain Torres while pursuing Asllani as a secondary option will determine their attacking recruitment trajectory this summer. Until clarity emerges on both Alvarez and Asllani, Barcelona appear content to observe rather than commit substantial resources.
