A No. 9 is needed at Camp Nou

Luis Suárez’s injury was a big hit to Barcelona’s attack. Without a proper backup striker in their ranks, Antoine Griezmann is now adapting to playing the No. 9 role with Quique Sétien, and although the 28-year-old has played in the same position with Diego Simeone, he performs better behind the striker, supporting the midfield and breaking opposition lines with his movement or with the ability he has to make the last pass. The Catalan club tried everything to acquire a replacement for the Uruguayan, but couldn’t succeed. Rodrigo Moreno was the name most thrown out by the media or famous journalists to become Barça’s next striker, with Lautaro Martinez and Olivier Giroud also in the cogitations.



With this being said, Quique Sétien’s team is still able to acquire a player, according to RFEF regulations, but only within Spain. So, what options do they have? Multiple reports have been saying that the club has three main options in case they decide to go for a replacement. Ángel from Getafe, Lucas Pérez from Alavés and Borja Iglesias from Betis. Which one could be the best for Barcelona?

ÁNGEL/GETAFE

With 13 goals and 4 assists in 2018/2019 and 13 goals in the current season, Ángel is a viable option for Barcelona’s safes. The mobile striker could fit right in on Quique Sétien’s system, as he’s a very good player on the ball as well. For any of these players mentioned above, the transition from a smaller club to a European giant could be one of the biggest issues, however, with 32-years-old, Ángel should have more than enough experience to overcome such hardships. His role could be increased this season, but as soon as Suárez returns, he knows that he will have little to no playing time, something that he’ll naturally accept at the stage of his career.

| GOAL! |



WHAT A FINISH!



Getafe with a lightning quick breakaway, and Angel finishes superbly! ????



???????????? pic.twitter.com/G1RZsnr7Uc — Eleven Sports (@ElevenSports_UK) January 12, 2019

LUCAS PÉREZ/ALAVÉS

Lucas Pérez is also one of the names mentioned in several newspapers. The player who had a brief stint at Arsenal already knows the demands of belonging to one of the biggest clubs in the World. His playstyle could fit perfectly, next to Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, as his talent is immense. Even though his last few years have been subpar in terms of performances, he could excel playing in a based-possession system in Catalonia. His transfer fee would not be a deterrent for Bartomeu and company.

Villarreal hit 4?, but Lucas Perez's overhead kick for Alaves is the goal of the game! ?????



???? Highlights #VillarrealAlaves pic.twitter.com/kZr0SngdHN — LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) October 25, 2019

BORJA IGLESIAS/BETIS

The player from Betis is the most expensive option out of these three players. Evaluated at €20 million by Transfermarkt, Iglesias is a different kind of player from Lucas Pérez and Ángel. Much taller, with a great sense to explore the space left behind the opposing defences, he’s the “less” Barcelona player from the options mentioned above. However, we’re not taking anything away from the very good player that Borja Iglesias is. With 17 goals and 3 assists in 37 appearances for Betis last season, the Spaniard is in his prime years physically, and could massively help Quique Sétien and his team with his characteristics. Due to his age, he would normally be the more expensive purchase out of these three players but could help Barcelona for years to come.