Luis Enrique wants Barça to sign a striker in January

The winter transfer window is getting closer. The directors reluctance and inability to spend a lot of cash in January, however, means the club will have to be imaginative if they want to fulfil Luis Enrique’s wishes, which are for another forward to join Barcelona. 

The talks between Robert Fernandez and the Barça boss are constant, but the profile of player that the Asturian needs was decided two weeks ago in a meeting at the Ciutat Esportiva. 

Lucho expressed his concern at only having one central forward. Luis Suarez has nobody to give him a rest in the squad and is accumulating a lot of minutes. Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal are versatile players that can strengthen many positions, but none of those positions are centre forward. For that reason, Luis Enrique insists that a No.9 must arrive, preferably one who could also play wide if necessary. 

ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES 

Robert Fernandez is in charge of ensuring the financing of the deal, which means the option of Nolito has been ruled out, as has any other player who’s profile is more similar to Pedro. The sporting director and his team will soon have ready a list of potential signings.

The Catalan club can’t make a huge financial effort because the have to comply with one of the directors’ points, which is to keep the base salary below the limit. It could mean Robert Fernandez is force to look for a loan move, without option to buy, although the wages would be paid. 

The alternative is players who can arrive for free - though that list is small in January. Plus Luis Enrique does not want a player who can’t cope with the demands of Barça and has already ruled out several suggestions given to him. 

Scouts at the club have intensified their work in recent weeks, filing all sorts of data and making many reports on players. One of the most active has been Ariedo Braids. In his case, he’s focused on the Italian market and has put several players on the table - all of whom would fit into Lucho’s and the club’s demands. 

One is Simone Zaza, 24, who plays for Juventus and has scored two goals in seven games. Juve paid 18 million euros to Sassuolo for him in the summer. Another is Manolo Gabbiadini, also 24, who currently plays for Napoli. He’s scored just once in nine games - the club paid Sampdoria 13 millions for him. 

The ‘casting’ will continue until January, probably. Lucho has no rush, but he wants a solution. He’s already admitted publicly he’s open to signings and the fact he didn’t make changes against Valencia at Mestalla was a clear sign he doesn’t feel the squad is sufficient.