FC Barcelona: In search of the elusive No. 9 jigsaw piece
FC Barcelona have a large folder full of options to strengthen the club's forward line.
Two profiles of players are currently being considered: a young striker with hunger, and a veteran in the latter stages of their career.
With Luciano Vietto ruled out, the search continues.
Here are the names from which Barça must choose the missing piece of their 2016/17 jigsaw:
THE YOUNGSTERS
Santi Mina (Valencia):
Pros: Luis Enrique knows him well from his time at Celta, versatile and stands out for his pace and shooting.
Cons: At Valencia he has become more of a counter-attacking player, a very different game from the one practiced at the Camp Nou.
Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid)
Pros: Has a style reminiscent of Kun Aguero, explosive, small, tough to bring down. He can take on the role as a substitute who can kick-start things off the bench.
Cons: He has not yet consolidated himself at Atletico, still inconsistent. More potential than reality.
Divock Origi (Liverpool)
Pros: A different type of profile: more of a striker, with height. Also adds pace.
Cons: Liverpool have not played him regularly due to his inconsistency; he still needs to compete at the highest level.
Ayoze Perez (Newcastle)
Pros: Very technical player, he has developed in the Premier League.
Cons: Hard to fit him into the Barça system, which does not have a player just off the frontman.
Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
Pros: Formed in the Barça youth system, he has had a great impact in Italian football. He is a goal scorer and has character.
Cons: His personality is a double-edged sword, he has had some problems in the dressing room in the past.
Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo)
Pros: Left-footed centre forward, big and quick in his finishing.
Cons: He has not played in a club of high demands, and his signing would be tricky, as he is co-owned by Juventus.
Simone Zaza (Juventus)
Pros: Ariedo Braida has put his name on the table, he is not getting playing time at Juve and his transfer would not appear too troublesome
Cons: He has hardly played for a season, he would arrive short of rhythm
Gabigol (Santos)
Pros: In Brazil, he is compared with Neymar; Barça have a preferential option on him
Cons: Robert went to see him in action some weeks ago, and was not convinced by him
THE VETERANS
Robin van Persie (Fenerbahce)
Pros: He would accept a secondary role and his style fits perfectly into the Barça game of possession and touch.
Cons: He woul arrive in the latter stages of his career, and far from the level of player that excelled at Arsenal.
Mario Gomez (Fiorentina)
Pros: A typical, old fashioned striker that would give the team a plan B. Height, finishing and experience.
Cons: He likes to get playing time and feel important, something that would be tough to get with the Barça front three.
Mario Mandzukic (Juventus)
Pros: A striker who lives in the area and very competitive; the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain would facilitate a transfer.
Cons: Difficult character, he also needs to feel important and to play with regularity to show his best level.
Carlos Bacca (AC Milan)
Pros: Experience in La Liga, a very complete forward; he is comfortable in link-up play
Cons: He is not convinced at being a secondary option after being a star at Sevilla and AC Milan.
Radamel Falcao (Monaco)
Pros: Despite not being anywhere near his best level, he is still a great header of the ball and Monaco would allow him to leave.
Cons: The current version of the player is a world away from the spectacular player that erupted at Atletico.
Charles (Malaga)
Pros: He knows La Liga, he is very quick and has a great strike on him, has the profile of adding a spark off the bench.
Cons: He on the decline, his last seasons have been somewhat dissapointing generally speaking.
Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao)
Pros: A type of player lacking from the current squad, size and constant activity.
Cons: He is an emblem of Athletic, his departure from that club is improbable despite the fact that he is now 35-years-old.
Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray)
Pros: He can take up various positions, still has hunger and knows the elite level of competition.
Cons: Despite showing good form in Turkey, his performances at Arsenal create doubts.
Oscar Cardozo (Trabzonspor)
Pros: A specialist; an old fashioned striker, who is dangerous in the box and very tall.
Cons: His style is at odds with Barça's and his numbers have dropped in the last year, he scored just eight goals last season.
Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo)
Pros: Versatility and movement. He has characteristics that would fit into the Blaugrana model.
Cons: When he made the leap to teams like Liverpool and Sevilla, he did not show his best form.
Lucas Perez (Deportivo)
Pros: Depor's difference maker; talent and dribbling skill: constant production.
Cons: He has many offers and has spent too long waiting for a proposal from Barcelona.
Marko Arnautovic (Stoke)
Pros: Tall. He can play on the wing as well as through the middle.
Cons: The Austrian is not a pure goal scorer; he is comfortable playing without the responsibility of scoring.
Arouna Kone (Everton)
Pros: Strong runner, mobility and versatility for the attack; knows La Liga.
Cons: His form at Everton has been very inconsistent and at Sevilla he did not meet expectations.
Pedro (Chelsea)
Pros: He already knows how to succeed at Barça and knows the dressing room well.
Cons: His level decreased in his latter days in Barcelona and he has not managed to consolidate his place at Chelsea.
Edin Dzeko (Roma)
Pros: A different type of No. 9, with great height, but pretty mobile and tactful in his passing.
Cons: His form in recent times has been disappointing and he does not do so well when not first choice.
THE ESTABLISHED
Salomon Rondon (West Brom)
Pros: He succeeded at Malaga. He is a striker who likes being in the area, and scores goals. He is an opportunist and has a nose for a chance.
Cons: He has recently gone to the Premier League and is the star of his team. Several teams want him.
Andre Ayew (Swansea)
Pros: He can play out wide, in the centre, or off the front. Very versatile and quick around the area.
Cons: He combines good seasons with others in which he disappears. Very inconsistent.
Memphis Depay (Manchester United)
Pros: His time in Holland was incredible and he looked to be heading for stardom. He has a potent strike.
Cons: His character has hurt him in England.
Cedric Bakambu (Villarreal)
Pros: Villarreal signed him as a main striker and he has triumphed. Complete forward.
Cons: Somewhat slow in his finishing and escaping his marker. Inconsistent during games.
Paco Alcacer (Valencia)
Pros: He has everything. Quick, experience in La Liga and a goal scorer. A forward wo would adapt to Barça.
Cons: An emblematic figure at Valencia. He is, for now, not available for transfer at all.
Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)
Pros: He had a breakout season last term with 'La Real'. A lot of quality and scores goals.
Cons: His team are selling Jonathas and will make Oyarzabal their main star.
Jonathan Soriano (Red Bull Salzburg)
Pros: He was excellent at Barça B under Luis Enrique and his goalscoring abilities are still intact.
Cons: He ends his contract in Austra in 2018, and his team will not be looking to sell their most decisive player.
Borja Baston (Atletico Madrid)
Pros: He showed his strike rate at Zaragoza and Eibar. He is ready to make the leap to a big team.
Cons: Atletico have offers from the Premier League, and he could cost over 20 million euros.
THE OTHER OPTIONS OFFERED BY SPORT
Alexandre Lacazette (Olympique Lyon)
Pros: A forward who would be perfect for Barça, he finds space well and can move out wide.
Cons: Lyon have sold Umtiti and is asking for a fortune to allow their main striker to follow him out the door.
Wissam Ben Yedder (Toulouse)
Pros: Style and technique. Many years showing great form in France. Pure goalscorer.
Cons: Many European clubs want him. He is in advanced talks with some of them.
Luuk de Jong (PSV)
Pros: One of the top scorers in the Dutch league. A total No. 9 and with a desire to progress.
Cons: No European clubs have shown interest, perhaps for his character. He would have a high cost.
Jonathan Calleri (Sao Paulo)
Pros: One of the most fashionable forwards in South America. Pure striker with a nose for goal.
Cons: His leap to Europe could be difficult. He would have to adapt to Barça's level.
Breel Embolo (Schalke)
Pros: Pure potency. In Germany, a lot is expected from him.
Cons: His market price would be high right now, despite the fact that German clubs usually sell.
