Barcelona face striker dilemma - could they cope without one?
· Sports · BBC Sport
Barcelona enter their opening La Liga match against Elche on 23 August without an established senior striker in the first-team squad. The club lost veteran Robert Lewandowski to Chicago Fire and saw Ferran Torres transfer to Paris St-Germain for approximately 50 million euros. While Barcelona have identified Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez as a primary target, Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin has stated the club will not sell the player. Manager Hansi Flick is now considering internal alternatives, including using Lamine Yamal as a false nine or deploying versatile attackers like Dani Olmo and Raphinha in central roles. The club has until the transfer window closes on 1 September to secure a permanent replacement.
Why it matters
The lack of a conventional number nine forces a tactical shift for Barcelona, potentially impacting their offensive consistency as they begin the new La Liga season.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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