Barcelona face striking dilemma as new La Liga season nears
Following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona are searching for a new striker before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Author: Diliff
Barcelona enter the new La Liga season facing a tactical puzzle: the squad currently lacks an established number nine. The summer departures of long-term striker Robert Lewandowski, who joined Chicago Fire, and Ferran Torres, who moved to Paris St-Germain for 50 million euros, have left a void in the attacking line.
Despite a busy summer that saw the club sign high-profile talents like Rodri, Anthony Gordon, and Karim Adeyemi, Hansi Flick has admitted that addressing the striker situation remains a priority. The club has identified Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez as their preferred target, but current signals from Madrid suggest a deal will be difficult to secure.
With the opening fixture against Elche approaching on August 23, Flick may have to rely on internal versatility. Players like Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Raphinha could be deployed in fluid or false-nine roles. While this rotation could offer tactical unpredictability, Flick maintains that a specialized striker remains the ideal solution.
The club is actively working on alternatives before the September 1 deadline. Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres, Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez, and Sporting's Luis Suarez have all been linked to the vacancy. Management is under pressure to complete a deal to ensure the squad is fully equipped to compete this season.