Barca’s striker search is running out of time

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The champions are light on options in attack

Barcelona’s search for a striker in the January transfer window has not gone well so far and the Spanish champions are rapidly running out of time to add to their squad.

Valencia’s Rodrigo seemed to be the first choice but talks have broken down, Arsenal have made it clear they don’t want to sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while a crazy rumor involving Bruno Fernandes emerged and then just as quickly disappeared.

Since then there have been reports that Barca could turn to Dusan Tadic instead. Yet even those rumors have fizzled out with Ajax reportedly not interested in losing the 31-year-old.

So where does that leave Barca? Well they now have only three days to add to their squad, and the whole world knows they’re pretty desperate which will influence any talks.

Barca also can’t afford to spend big in this window which has reduced their options and means names such as Lautaro Martinez and Timo Werner have been ruled out.

A deal for Rodrigo could be revived, or maybe Aubameyang and Arsenal can be convinced, but neither of those scenarios are looking likely at present. Rumors involving players like Carlos Vela and Olivier Giroud are probably likely to re-emerge in the next few days instead.

Of course Barca don’t have to add to their squad, they could look to Barca B instead. Except those options seem to be dwindling too. Carles Perez is in Italy to complete a move to Roma, while Abel Ruiz is expected to sign for Braga this week.

All of which leaves Barca increasingly short of options in attack, something which was highlighted at the weekend when Quique Setien named just three forwards in his squad for Sunday’s defeat to Valencia: Ansu Fati, Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi.

There are 19 players listed in the official first-team squad, two are out injured (Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele) and one (Moussa Wague) could depart on loan this week. Hence the amount of B teamers on the training ground.

There is still time for Barca to bring someone in but perhaps fans should not be too disappointed if they don’t. The club’s recent winter signings have been Yerry Mina, Philippe Coutinho, Jeison Murillo, Jean-Clair Todibo and Kevin-Prince Boateng, none of whom have been a success.

Source: barcablaugranes.com