Barcelona ‘aim to sign No 9 in addition to their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann’ as Catalans seek Luis Suarez cover who can emulate Origi and Llorente impact at Liverpool and Tottenham
- Barcelona are in talks with Antoine Griezmann according to Ernesto Valverde
- But the club ‘want to sign another ‘No 9′ to give Luis Suarez a break in games’
- They noted Divock Origi and Fernando Llorente’s impact for Liverpool and Spurs
- Any pursuit would be in addition to the signing of World Cup winner Griezmann
Barcelona are planning to sign ‘another No 9 striker’ in addition to their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann this summer.
The Catalan giants have noted the impact of Divock Origi and Fernando Llorente for Champions League finalists Liverpool and Tottenham this season, who have both chipped in with vital goals at key junctures.
Origi has developed a knack of biding his time and striking when the iron is hot for the Reds, scoring pivotal match-winning league goals during their title pursuit and starred in Liverpool’s semi-final victory over Barcelona in Europe.
Mundo Deportivo report that Barcelona are in the market for a No 9 to support Luis Suarez
Barcelona want a striker who can give 32-year-old Luis Suarez a rest in certain games
They noted the impact of Fernando Llorente and Divock Origi for Tottenham and Liverpool
Llorente too has proved his value for Tottenham with a match-deciding goal against Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals, before changing the semi-final second leg against Ajax as a second-half substitute during Spurs’ remarkable comeback earlier this month
And Barcelona have taken note of both clubs’ strength in depth by plotting to bring in their own back-up ‘No 9’, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The move would have the dual purpose of providing a decisive impact from the bench while giving Luis Suarez, who is now 32, a break in matches.
Barcelona reportedly feel that their current back-up options, namely Munir and Kevin-Prince Boateng, don’t offer the ‘No 9’ firepower required to take the weight off Suarez.
Both scored key goals for their clubs including this strike for Liverpool in the Premier League
Any move would not scupper their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann, who can also play in a centre-forward role.
The France World Cup winner has announced his intention to leave Atletico and Barcelona appear his most likely destination.
Coach Ernesto Valverde admitted on Sunday that the Catalans were in talks to sign Griezmann.
‘It is true we have already made contact,’ Valverde said. ‘It is true that talks are ongoing, but the season isn’t over yet.
‘We have the Copa Del Rey final still to play. We have the chance of winning two titles and we must try to focus on this issue.
Any move for a back-up ‘No 9’ would have no impact on the pursuit of Antoine Griezmann
‘Afterwards we will have time for everything else – we won’t say anything new when we are talking about players from other teams.
‘We will see (what happens). He (Griezmann) is a great player. We’ve always said so.’
The 28-year-old’s reported £105million release clause is set to be activated on July 1 and Barcelona look set to nab their man after both Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City pulled out of the race to sign him.
