Barcelona could consider a number of alternative striker options, including Chelsea pair Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, if they fail to secure the signing of Erling Haaland this summer.
Despite their recent financial problems, Barça have been one of the clubs most heavily linked with the Borussia Dortmund superstar, who has scored more than a goal per game in all competitions since making the switch to Germany just over two years ago.
The idea at Camp Nou is that Haaland would represent a long-term investment and form a major part of the rebuild currently being overseen by coach and club legend Xavi.
Yet with competition for the Norwegian’s signatures coming from all sides – Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have all been keeping tabs on him – Barça don’t appear keen to put all their eggs in one basket, so to speak.
While the priority remains Haaland, Mundo Deportivo explains that other possible options include the aforementioned Lukaku and Werner, both of whom have struggled to make the desired impact since big money moves to Stamford in 2021 and 2020 respectively.
Lukaku has been in and out of the Chelsea side since giving a controversial interview in which he suggested he was unhappy at the club. Werner, meanwhile, has had another goal-shy season that has been impacted by injury and illness. Both could perhaps benefit from a fresh start.
Chelsea are currently barred from selling players due to sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich by the UK government. But those sanctions are expected to be lifted once the club is sold, which could happen sooner rather than later in light of the latest report.
Aside from the Chelsea pair, Barça are also said to be interested in Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao. 90min reports that Premier League clubs are also monitoring Schick, who impressed at Euro 2020, but Leverkusen could demand more than €60m.
A striker is expected to be the only transfer that Barça are prepared to pay a fee for in the summer, with other recruits still specifically targeted in the free agency market to keep costs down. That will likely see centre-back Andreas Christensen make the switch from Chelsea, and could extend to also include free transfers for Cesar Azpilicueta and Franck Kessie.
Source: 90min.com
