Barcelona looked really keen to tackle the number nine position with the signing of Vitor Roque in January, spending €30m on the 19-year-old. However, this did not work out with the Brazilian heading to Real Betis on loan this season, but there is no escaping the fact that star striker Robert Lewandowski turns 36 this year.
The Blaugrana will need to look at the position sooner rather than later, and this week they have been linked with the in-form Aston Villa striker. John Duran. The 20-year-old Colombian is in good form for the Villains, but he is also still competing with Ollie Watkins for a starting place.
Szczęsny's signing is approaching. His entourage now acknowledges that the goalkeeper will undergo medical tests soon. @martinezferran, @RogerTorello
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 26, 2024
However Fabrizio Romano he informed Caught offside that it is “absolutely not true” that Barcelona is working on an agreement for Duran, and there have been no contacts from Catalonia with Villa or Duran. Chelsea and West Ham have shown an interest in the summer, but his place at Villa now looks assured.
It goes without saying that Duran would be one of the most expensive strikers in the world at this point as well, which cuts to the heart of the problem for Barcelona. Many believe that the Blaugrana still need a central midfielder and also more depth in defense, but it seems unlikely that they will be able to bring in a top scorer for the most money, so they may have to hedge their bets with a player younger like Roque.
Image via Marc Atkins/Getty Images
