FC Barcelona have a growing belief that they will be able to make signings after the economic plan is presented to La Liga. The club wants to make new acquisitions to compete both in the short-term and the long-term, with the clear objective of acquiring a strategic signing in the attack.
Xavi wants goals and Barcelona wants to bet on the profile of a young player who can progress at Camp Nou and eventually become a world star. While Lewandowski has starred upfront, with 27 goals in 37 games already this season, the Pole turns 35 this summer and the Blaugranes will be looking to bring in a long-term replacement soon.
The Catalan giants had initially identified Brazilian international Vitor Roque as their top target. However, with the transfer interest in the Paranense man growing, Barcelona do not wish to engage in a bidding war against some of the deepest pockets in European football.
The Premier League’s financial muscle means that the main protagonists of the transfer market will be off the table for La Blaugrana. As a result, the club’s football director, Mateu Alemany, has instructed scouts to explore other options in Europe. The two players who have caught the attention of the Barcelona scouts are Rasmus Højlund of Atalanta and Gift Orban of KAA Genk as per the reports from SPORT.
Højlund, a 20-year-old striker who has been compared to Erling Haaland, has impressed in Serie A this season and is on the radar of many Premier League clubs. While the Italian press reports a high transfer fee, the higher-ups in the Barcelona offices believe that they can negotiate a more reasonable price for the talented youngster.
Gift Orban, a relatively unknown striker who has burst onto the scene in Belgium, is another option under consideration. The Nigerian forward was signed by Genk for €3.5 million in January this year and has since scored an impressive 14 goals in 14 games across all competitions, including the Europa Conference League.
While Højlund is seen as the more polished of the two prospects, Orban’s relative obscurity means that he would be a more affordable option for Barcelona. The club is also keeping one eye on the future, with the option of re-signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a free transfer next summer.
Barcelona’s search for a young striker reflects the team’s broader ambitions to return to the top of European football. With Xavi Hernandez at the helm, the club is looking to build a team that can compete for both domestic as well as European glory for years to come.
