​Barcelona continues to prioritise signing Julian Alvarez, but the club is also preparing contingency plans in case talks with Atletico Madrid do not materialise. In that context, according to SPORT, Jhon Duran has emerged as a surprising option, with the Colombian striker now among the candidates being considered if Barcelona are forced to pivot from their preferred target. The latest transfer news surrounding Barcelona comes after club president Joan Laporta acknowledged that discussions for Alvarez cannot run indefinitely. While Alvarez remains Hansi Flick’s top choice to spearhead the attack, the Barca sporting department is also weighing alternative profiles to ensure the squad does not end up short of options as the transfer window progresses.
SPORT reports that Barcelona’s interest in Jhon Duran is not entirely new. The Colombian forward has long been on the radar of Barcelona’s management. When Deco served as sporting director at Aston Villa, he explored the possibility of signing Duran, even engaging in preliminary talks with the player’s representatives before Duran ultimately accepted a lucrative offer from Al-Nassr in January 2025. Since joining Saudi Arabia, Duran has struggled to secure a foothold in the first team. Juridical loan spells at Zenit St. Petersburg and Fenerbahçe provided him regular playing time, yet his long-term future at Al-Nassr remains uncertain.
The report notes that Al-Nassr have authorised Duran’s entourage to search for a new destination, with Barcelona among the clubs that have been sounded out due to the existing relationship between the two organisations. One of the appealing aspects of a potential Jhon Duran move is the proposed transfer structure. Al-Nassr are reportedly open to letting the 22-year-old depart on loan with an option to buy, a framework that could be advantageous for Barcelona as they navigate their options. At the same time, Benfica is also reportedly tracking Duran, with rumours suggesting the Portuguese club has already opened talks and held direct discussions with the player’s representatives.
Duran’s representatives are said to be determined to see him return to European football, believing that a move away from Saudi Arabia could rejuvenate a career that stalled after an early departure from the Premier League. At 22 years of age, Duran possesses notable abilities and substantial room for further development, which has kept him on the radar of several European clubs, including Barcelona and Benfica. For Barcelona, a loan with an option to buy would provide flexibility to assess Duran’s adaptation to European football and league dynamics, while keeping open the possibility of a future permanent deal if he proves to be a valuable asset.
In summarising the scenario, Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez remains the priority, but the club is actively devising a plan B through Jhon Duran as a potential alternative should negotiations with Atletico Madrid falter. The evolving considerations reflect Barcelona’s pragmatic approach to strengthening their attacking line while safeguarding against uncertainties in the transfer market. The Duran option underscores the Blaugrana’s willingness to explore loan-based arrangements and close monitoring of European targets who could ensure depth and quality in attack as the season progresses. Benfica’s interest in Duran adds another layer to the scenario, indicating a competitive market for the 22-year-old forward and highlighting the strategic choices facing Barcelona as they evaluate the best path to reinforcing their frontline. If Barcelona can broker a workable loan with an option to buy, and if Duran can demonstrate his fit within their tactical framework and European competition, a move could become a viable contingency that aligns with both the club’s needs and the player’s ambitions.