Barcelona face major striker shortage ahead of new La Liga campaign
Spanish champions Barcelona are facing a severe shortage of central strikers ahead of their La Liga opener against Elche on 23 August following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
The Catalan giants have invested heavily in their squad this summer, notably securing Ballon d’Or winner Rodri from Manchester City to bolster a talent-packed midfield.
Pace and width have also been added to the flanks through the acquisitions of Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and 18-year-old Belgian prospect Jesse Bisiwu.
However, Hansi Flick’s side remain without a recognised number nine as the 1 September transfer deadline rapidly approaches.
Alvarez pursuit hits stumbling block
The current attacking void was created when veteran forward Lewandowski joined Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire upon the expiry of his contract.
That significant exit was compounded by the £42.7m sale of Torres, who scored 21 goals last term, to French champions Paris St-Germain.
Camp Nou executives had identified Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez as their primary target to lead the line for the upcoming campaign.
Those transfer hopes appear to have been dashed after Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin insisted the 26-year-old Argentina international is not for sale at any price.
Flick considers false nine alternatives
The German manager has acknowledged the pressing need for attacking reinforcements but is prepared to utilise tactical alternatives from within his current roster.
“We know we have to do something,” Flick said this month.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal could be deployed centrally after a stellar campaign that yielded 24 goals and a World Cup triumph with Spain.
Yet the 17-year-old’s greatest strength lies in isolating defenders on the right flank, making a permanent shift inside unlikely for the young star.
Spanish internationals Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez have both proven highly capable of operating effectively in a false nine role.
Alternatively, the Blaugrana could deploy a highly fluid forward line designed to constantly disrupt opposition centre-backs with unpredictable movement.