Gameiro is the best attacking option for Barça

Gameiro is the best attacking option for Barça

Kevin Gameiro is the front-runner for Barça to add substantial quality to the club's attacking force, although negotiations for the striker will not be easy.

Sevilla are trying to hold out for the Frenchman's 40 million euros buy-out clause, but the Blaugrana are unwilling to pay more than 25 million.

The 29-year-old was always Luis Enrique's first transfer target but he decided primarily to strengthen other positions in his squad - centre and left-back namely - before attempting to finalise a deal for Gameiro.

Gameiro meets all the requirements for Enrique: strong, experienced, creates space very well and has a strong passing game. Barça contacted the former Paris Saint-Germain player's representatives a few months ago to communicate that he was a priority signing, and the Catalan club now sees a great opportunity for the final steps to be taken to secure the deal.

After these initial talks, Gameiro's representatives expected Barça to move quickly to finalise the transfer, but their insistence on paying 25 million euros for the striker could only be improved by offering some of their own players to move the other way to Andalusia.

Los Nervionenses are very interested in Alen Halilovic and are also considering including Sergi Samper in negotiations. Clearly, Sevilla aren't going to let Gameiro leave easily and would risk a substantial backlash from the club's supporters if he were to leave the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.

For Barça, Gameiro's signing would complete arguably the best attacking force in world football and the goal is to now amicably agree terms with Sevilla to facilitate his move to Catalonia.