NEW Barcelona boss Quique Setien has made signing a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez his No1 priority as the world’s richest club look to raid their own B team.
The former Liverpool star, 32, went under the knife this week to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and is set to miss around four months.
Setien is aiming to replace the injured Suarez with some B team stars
While Barcelona have a mass of attacking talent in their squad, Setien is said to be fearful of his lack of out-and-out No9s.
Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele are all at their strongest when drifting inside from the wing or even just off the main striker.
Former Real Betis chief Setien is now reportedly considering calling up youngsters Alejandro Marques and Abel Ruiz from the B team to replace Suarez – at least in the short term.
Ruiz has scored three goals in 17 matches for Barca’s B team this term, adding two assists.
Meanwhile, Marques is goalless in 11 matches – but could join Ruiz in being in the match-day squad for Barcelona’s LaLiga clash with Granada on Sunday.
Despite Suarez’s injury, Setien isn’t considering panic-buying anyone this January – despite Barcelona recently being crowned the richest club in the world for the first time in their history.
Meanwhile, sacked former boss Ernesto Valverde has decided against claiming the rest of his Barcelona wages – despite having 18 months of pay left on his contract.
The Spaniard, 55, was let go on Monday, immediately replaced by Setien, despite the Catalan giants sitting top of the LaLiga table.
But things between Valverde and Barcelona ended on good terms after two-and-a-half years in charge.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, the former manager opted not to take the rest of the pay he was due in a classy gesture.
Quique Setien says he went from ‘strolling next to cows’ to Barcelona coach in 24 hours
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
