Luis Enrique's six options if Barcelona fail to sign fourth forward
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has made clear on many occasions that the only premise that he has given to sporting director Robert Fernandez is to sign a player that will enhance the current quality of the squad.
In this sense, the Asturian gave his approval to sign Paco Alcacer but, assuming the deal fell through, the treble-winning coach has up to six players within the ranks to give support and rest to the "MSN" trio in attack.
Despite occupying other positions on the pitch, these six players would be able to adapt to attacking positions - it's one of the advantages of having versatile players in the squad.
These are the players who could take on the responsibility:
ARDA TURAN
The Turk is the most favoured option by Enrique and is slowly becoming the choice of the supporters too. Neymar's absence at the start of the season has favoured Turan to play a more offensive position and his performances haven't gone unnoticed.
His goal against Real Betis in the opening league fixture confirmed an explosive start to the season by the 29-year-old. Throughout his career he has played a total of 279 games across the front three positions (169 on the left, 110 on the right, one as a no.9).
DENIS SUAREZ
The profile of the Galician is patently offensive. Although Enrique sees him as an offensive midfielder, Suarez has previously shown - especially for Villarreal and Barça B - that he can play as part of a front three.
60 games on the left side (nine goals and 19 assists), 13 on the right (one goal and five assists) and five as centre forward (three goals).
RAFINHA
Barça's coaching staff are fully aware of the skills of the Brazilian in attack. In fact, in his loan spell with Celta Vigo, the 23-year-old held three positions.
He's one of the players who is most liked by Enrique and the 'overcrowding' in midfield could push the youngster further up the pitch to strengthen the attack.
Rafinha's statistics in these offensive roles are: 18 games on the right (three goals), 19 as a centre forward (seven goals and three assists) and four on the left (one goal).
ANDRES INIESTA
Barça's captain has shown that he can adapt to the forward roles and has held these positions in specific cases under Enrique.
The 32-year-old feels more comfortable as a creative midfielder, where he becomes more of an influence, but Enrique knows that the Spain international is an alternative to consider.
He has played 76 games on the left, scoring nine goals and reaching 29 assists.
ANDRE GOMES
The former Valencia midfielder would be the most riskiest option since he doesn't know how to play as a forward in too much depth.
During his time with Los Che, the team's needs forced him to play as a false winger on the left ten times where he struggled to adapt to the position.
One of those games, coincidentally, was against Barça at the Camp Nou last season during Valencia's 2-1 win.
ALEIX VIDAL
Vidal's natural position in recent years has been on the left but the Catalan began his career as a winger.
He's played 45 games on the right (eight goals and 12 assists) and 32 on the left (three goals and three assists).
Enrique knows Vidal is an offensive-minded player. Last season the 27-year-old played two Copa del Rey games in attacking positions against Espanyol and Athletic. In the 2-0 win over Espanyol he gave an assist to Munir El Haddadi.
