None of these forwards dared to compete with the Barça trident

None of these forwards dared to compete with the Barça trident

Robert Fernandez, the FC Barcelona technical secretary, will present Andre Gomes, the club's fourth signing for the 2016/17 season on Wednesday, and will be forced to face more questions regarding the hunt for the desired 'fourth forward'.

When last asked about the search, and if finding an attacker that would accept to be a backup for Messi, Suarez and Neymar, the 'MSN', was proving difficult, Robert said: "Yes, definitely."

Luciano Vietto is the most recent player to be added to the list of forwards that have escaped from FC Barcelona's grasp this pre-season.

The young Argentine is close to joining Sevilla after Atletico Madrid preferred to block his transfer to the Camp Nou to avoid strengthening a rival.

Kevin Gameiro will probably follow him onto that list, another option that had interested Barça.

Barcelona have certainly been active during the summer market, and continue to seek and negotiate, trying to satisfy Luis Enrique's demands.

All profiles and styles are under consideration, youngsters with potential, experienced veterans at the end of their careers... but the candidates continue to slip away.

At times because their price takes them out of range, sometimes because they are wary of taking on such a secondary role behind the front three.

THE LIST OF THOSE LOST ELSEWHERE

The first to fall from the Barça wishlist was the young attacker Ousmane Dembele, recruited by Borussia Dortmund for 15 million euros.

The Catalan club could not complete a deal for the veteran Hatem Ben Arfa either, who left Nice to join PSG on a free transfer.

Nolito, the preferred choice of Luis Enrique, was not able to put on the Blaugrana shirt either, despite his wish to return. The lure of Pep Guardiola and the amount of 18 million euros put paid to that dream.

Gabriel Jesus was thought to be an option for the future, but the pressure of the other big clubs in contention for his signature complicated his signing. Again, Manchester City appear to have snapped him up.

Luciano Vietto is about to become the latest disappointment for Barça. The club has pursued him until the end, but Atletico have opted to reinforce Sevilla rather than Barcelona, and he will move on loan to the Sanchez Pizjuan.

THE OPTIONS

In these circumstances, Robert Fernandez has had to activate other options.

Kevin Gameiro has not yet been ruled out, but Sevilla's demands make the deal almost impossible.

The alternative of 'Gabigol' is not dead in the water either, Barcelona have a preferential option on the Santos striker from the Neymar deal. Juventus are the main threat in his case.

Barça are also in possession of positive scouting reports relating to Deportivo forward Lucas Perez. He would be thrilled to play at the Camp Nou, but his club want the full 20 million euros of the release clause stipulated in the player's contract.

Barcelona are forced to start again in their search for the right forward to bring in.

Meanwhile Luis Enrique has asked to have his squad finalised by the time they take on Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup in mid-August.