BARCELONA will reportedly decide on their replacement for the injured Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez today when sporting director Eric Abidal meets with Quique Setien, Ramon Planes and Oscar Grau.
The Blaugrana are desperate to bolster their forward line, with Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and 17-year-old Ansu Fati their only fit options in attack.
Quique Setien’s striker search is set to hot up
Despite the transfer window being closed, LaLiga clubs are still allowed to purchase from another club in Spain if they have a player set to be injured for five months or more.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are readying themselves to submit the relevant paperwork to the league in order to prove the extent of Dembele’s injury.
LaLiga will then have 72 hours in which to give the Catalan giants the green light in which to buy.
And Abidal has a number of targets in mind, with some more easy to pull off than others.
LUCAS PEREZ
Arsenal and West Ham fans will raise their eyebrows at this one, but Premier League flop Lucas Perez is on Barcelona’s shortlist.
Since returning to Spain from East London last summer, the 31-year-old has managed to rediscover his goal-scoring touch.
Perez has bagged nine goals in 22 LaLiga appearances this season – including a blistering run of eight games in a row in which he netted back in October and November.
He would be available for just £12.5million, owing to a clause in his Alaves contract.
ANGEL RODRIGUEZ
Another option is Getafe forward Angel Rodriguez.
The 5ft 8in striker has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season and could suit Setien’s philosophy with his movement and finishing.
With a release clause of just £8million, and with no indication that Getafe would stand in his way, Angel is an easily obtainable target for Barcelona.
The 32-year-old turned out for Real Madrid’s B team back in 2007 – but that would be unlikely to deter him from a move to their fierce rivals.
LOREN MORON
Loren Moron is a player that boss Quique Setien likes, having given him his Real Betis debut back in 2018.
Lucas Perez has re-found scoring touch back in SpainCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Angel Rodriguez is available for just £8millionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The 26-year-old has bagged ten goals in all competitions this season – but is without one in LaLiga in his last ten games – recently even being demoted to the bench.
One of his ten strikes was against Barcelona back in August though, and Setien is thought to retain his faith in the player.
His release clause is £50million, but Betis and Barcelona are thought to be on good terms, meaning a lower fee could likely be negotiated.
Setien is a fan of Loren Moron, having given him his Real Betis debutCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Barcelona player runs around in training blindfolded in bizarre ‘chicken’ drill ordered by new coach Quique Setien
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
