Barcelona will sign a top striker only under one condition – report

Barcelona may be looking to bring in a top striker into the team this summer, but the operation may only be carried out if one of Antoine Griezmann or Dembélé are included in either a trade deal or sale, according to a report by Cat Radio.

La Blaugrana have been in the market for a number 9 ever since the departure of Luis Suárez, with Martin Braithwaite not even close to fitting the bill for what is needed at Camp Nou.

The Catalans did fill this void by reportedly bringing in Sergio Agüero, whose deal is virtually done according to the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano. While the Argentinian does provide what Barcelona seem to be looking for, the appointment is largely short term. At 33, Agüero is unlikely to occupy the number 9 role for years to come, but instead only for a couple years.

Even the likes of Memphis Depay, another attacker heavily linked with Barcelona this summer, does not fit the role of a pure number 9, but instead a versatile forward comfortable playing in playmaking areas of the pitch, and isn’t quite what Joan Laporta may be looking for to undertake his new sporting project for the club.

The Spanish outfit may therefore be looking towards other long term options to bring into the club this summer that provides what they are looking for in a lethal out-and-out striker for the foreseeable future. According to the report however, any deal would only be made possible if the financial burden of the player is lightened via an exchange deal that would include Dembélé or Antoine Griezmann.

Griezmann has had a turbulent career with Barcelona: his first season was far from what was expected of him with his massive €120 million transfer fee, and this season was looking to be no different initially until the Frenchman turned his fortunes and truly grew into his role at La Blaugrana, now forming an integral part of the starting XI.

That said, he would still fetch a decent price which would certainly ease Barcelona’s financial pressures, and he finds himself (albeit on the lower side) on the list of players that may exit the club this season.

Dembélé has experienced a similar tale: his initial seasons were injury ridden and he vastly underperformed, but has outshined his previous self this season (which has still been far from perfect of course). Either way, the winger is highly promising, versatile, and still very young, and would therefore certainly be on the radar of other clubs, with some already interested.

Barcelona were earlier interested in Erling Haaland, although bringing him this summer is, frankly put, impossible, especially considering that Dortmund have managed to secure a Champions League spot for next season.

Shortly put, qualifying for the UCL was the only condition under which the Norwegian would stay at the German outfit, and paying the transfer fee that Dortmund would demand a year prior to his reported release clause being active is massively unfeasible considering the Catalans’ financial environment.

Another option would be Harry Kane, who has reportedly made it known to leadership at Tottenham that he wishes to leave this summer. The Englishman would have to adjust to life in Spain and unlike Haaland is fairly older, but this means that he would come at a lower price.

The Premier League is, in addition, a highly attractive destination for players, and it would probably be slightly easier to convince Griezmann and / or Dembélé to exit.

Barcelona may also have an option that would cost them nothing. The development of Ansu Fati into a number 9 has been on the cards since the beginning of the season. There is no doubt that the starlet possesses the profile of an out-and-out striker, and there seems to be confidence within the tactical side of the club that he could undertake the role.

It would be the most financially feasible option, and unlike Kane, the most long term one: Fati is only 18 with years ahead of him, and he would occupy the role for the same time that Messi has occupied his role (if he chooses to stay for that long). 

The caveat is that the Spaniard’s proficiency at the 9 is purely hypothetical and an experiment at best. Regardless of how likely that may be, the Catalans may hope to bring in an expert marksman this summer, but only if they can convince one of their two attacking Frenchmen.