BARCELONA could turn to free agents Daniel Sturridge or Jack Wilshere after Ansu Fati suffered a nasty knee injury.
The LaLiga giants were dealt a cruel low after teenage sensation Fati, 18, was ruled out for up to five months with ruptured internal meniscus in his left knee.
Barcelona may be forced to raid the free agents market to replace injured Ansu FatiCredit: Rex Features
Currently languishing eighth in LaLiga and now without arguably their top performer this season, Ronald Koeman knows his side are in trouble.
Barcelona are now being tipped to raid the free agents market to add some depth to their threadbare squad.
A shock move wouldn’t be something new for the Spanish outfit, having moved to sign striker Martin Braithwaite in February.
The club received special permission to snap up the player outside the transfer window, despite the the ex-Middlesbrough man having a far from impressive goalscoring record.
But who could they theoretically sign? We take a look at five of the biggest free agents…
DANIEL STURRIDGE
Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge could be an optionCredit: Instagram @danielsturridge
STURRIDGE has been without a club having left Turkish side Trabzonspor early in the coronavirus pandemic.
The former England star thrived in the 2013-14 season at Liverpool alongside Luis Suarez and has also played for Chelsea and Manchester City.
But his long injury record put off clubs from making a move over the summer – even on a free.
Sturridge, 31, recently admitted he would pay ‘any amount’ of money in order to be cured of his physical ailments.
The striker – who has often deployed on the wing in his career – could be an enticing option for Barcelona.
He certainly wouldn’t start, but coming off the bench as an impact sub could be just the ticket.
When fit, Sturridge’s eye for goal is up there with the best strikers in the world.
JACK WILSHERE
Jack Wilshere is a free agent having left West Ham earlier this yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
WILSHERE was once one of the hottest properties in world football after bursting onto the scene with Arsenal.
But, much like Sturridge, his career has been blighted by injuries – even having his contract at West Ham torn up halfway through his two-year stay by mutual consent.
Wilshere is now hunting for a club after failing to rekindle his top form at the Hammers.
While Barcelona boast a host of elite midfielders, Wilshere could see some minutes as an impact sub off the bench – and could even be pushed into a more advanced role.
Wilshere himself admitted he’d be ‘silly’ to join another club like West Ham – focusing on landing a move to a big club.
MARIO MANDZUKIC
Mario Mandzukic could be keen to get back to European football after one year in QatarCredit: Getty – Contributor
AFTER just ten games at Qatari side Al-Duhail, Mandzukic had his contract ripped up by mutual consent.
The Croatian star, 34, had been tipped with moves to the likes of Inter Milan and Fiorentina in the summer.
But the ex-Juventus, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid star is still currently a free agent.
With heaps of experience in the Italian, German and Spanish top-flights, Barcelona would get a player who would not be overwhelmed by turning out at the Nou Camp.
And his knack for scoring goals is obvious… the only question remains over whether the former Manchester United target’s style of play fits in with that of Barcelona.
With Griezmann and Messi occupying wider areas, Mandzukic’s presence in the middle certainly wouldn’t be the worst option.
SHINJI KAGAWA
Shinji Kagawa could be a good fit for Barcelona after playing in Spain’s second tier last seasonCredit: EPA
THE former Man Utd and Borussia Dortmund star is a free agent having been let-go by Real Zaragoza.
In his first taste of Spanish football, Kagawa, still only 31, scored four times in 31 Segunda Division games.
On his day an electric attacking midfielder, Barcelona could take a chance on the 97-cap Japan star to replace Fati.
Hi ability to play as a No10 or on the wings would allow Griezmann to play centrally, with himself and Messi on the wings.
ALEXANDRE PATO
Pato will hope to rediscover his red-hot AC Milan form in 2020-21Credit: AFP – Getty
AFTER bursting onto the scene in Brazil as a teenager, Pato became a household name thanks to his incredible talent, particularly on Football Manager.
The Brazilian was a prolific scorer during his first four seasons as a youngster at AC Milan.
But in 2011, Pato’s form suddenly fell off a cliff, with the striker bouncing around the world, failing to settle anywhere – including his disastrous loan spell at Chelsea.
The forward has recently been playing in China and Brazil, scoring 30 goals in just 47 games for Chinese Super League side Tianjin Tianhai.
However, he has scored just nine goals in 35 games for Brazilian side Sao Paulo between 2019 and 2020.
After having his contract terminated in August, Pato is a free agent.
And a move to an elite team with top-level midfielders setting him up could be just what he needs… if anyone is willing to take a chance.
Ousmane Dembele shows off his skills in training with Barcelona
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
