OK, so apparently City wants Alves, a lot.
How about accepting Alves as a summer transfer, in partial payment for their player who would really fit better at Barca? He has expressed his unhappiness with City and with cold England (since revoked). Barca could throw in Bojan and Jeffren, as well.
I can't thing of any forward not with Barca now who would fit in better than Tevez. Constantly rotate Messi, Villa, Pedro and Tevez. Maybe experiment every once in a while with Tevez or Messi at attacking midfielder, when Iniesta needs a rest.