Barcelona look set to undergo a major overhaul, one of their biggest in the last two decades, or more. Lionel Messi wants to leave the club, while new manager Ronald Koeman wants to get rid of a few players. One such player who is sure to leave Barca is Luis Suarez, whose trophy-laden career at the Catalan club will most likely come to an end soon.
His exit could mean that Barca might look to sign a new striker to replace him in the starting XI, and help rebuild this poor Barca side.
Let’s take a look at 3 players who could replace Luis Suarez
Lautaro Martinez
One of the most exciting strikers in Europe currently is Argentinian star, Lautaro Martinez. Martinez currently plays for Inter Milan and has racked up 30 goals in 84 games for the Italian giants. He also has a superb goal record for Argentina, scoring 9 goals in 17 appearances.
The 23-year-old is quick, tenacious, has the ability to dribble past players, and score goals consistently. He has all the qualities needed to be a successful player at Barcelona. He won’t come cheap though, as he still has a few years remaining on his contract.
Raul Jimenez
If Barca are looking for a cheaper option to Martinez, they could turn towards Wolves’ clinical striker Raul Jimenez. The Mexican international has done well since moving to the English club, scoring 44 goals and providing 18 assists in 99 games for the club. He is a player who can link up with his teammates, can hold up the play when needed, and is a calm and composed figure in front of the goal.
Jimenez would be a decent fit in this Barcelona team and is a player who has loads of experience in Europe and the international stage.
Antoine Griezmann
Perhaps the solution to the Suarez situation is already in Barcelona. Antoine Griezmann had an average first season with Barca since moving from Atletico Madrid for a whopping fee of €120 million. The French World Cup-winning forward scored just 15 goals in 48 appearances at the club, 9 of which were in the league and looked visibly uncomfortable being played out of the wing.
These aren’t good enough numbers for a Barca forward, let alone one that cost in excess of €100 million. Griezmann is still just 29 years of age and has a lot to offer to the club. If Messi and Suarez do leave, new manager Ronald Koeman could perhaps build his team around Griezmann, as well as young, promising players like Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati.
Koeman reportedly believes he can get the best out of the French forward by playing him in a more central role which will give the club the option to bolster other areas of the pitch, without losing a huge chunk of the already-stretched budget on the attack.
