3 players who could replace Luis Suarez at Barcelona

Barcelona are currently second in the LaLiga standings and face Real Madrid next week in what could be a potential title decider. They also comfortably earned themselves a place in the round of 16 of Champions League, battling it out in the group of death. However, it's not all sweetness and light at one of the most successful football clubs of the 21st century.

Ever since Ernesto Valverde took over the reins, their performances have been below par by the impeccable standards they have set for themselves. Though they have won league titles regularly, it was mostly fuelled by a one-man show from Lionel Messi. Senior players like Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique are on a steady decline, so is their talismanic frontman, Luis Suarez.

The Uruguayan striker, now in his sixth year at Barcelona, is undoubtedly one of the best strikers of last decade. He has terrorized defenders and scored an incredible amount of goals for club and country. Turning 33 in January, it seems age is getting the better of him. His best years are well past him and etched in memories.

It would be harsh to call his season underwhelming, especially after scoring 11 goals in 15 games. However, if one looks at the bigger picture, his performances have shown a gradual regress. It's a bitter truth that Suarez has not scored a Champions League away goal for over four years now.

Earlier this year, Suarez publicly stated that his days in Spain are numbered and Barca must find a way to deal with life without him. In this article, we elaborate on three young strikers who are running the show in Europe this season and could fit seamlessly into the Blaugrana's forward line as a replacement for the Uruguayan frontman.

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3. Erling Braut Haaland (RB Leipzig)

Erling Braut Håland

It seems the name Erling Haaland is synonymous with goals. Every single person who watched him this season would agree that the Norwegian prodigy is destined for great things. In just 22 games, he has scored 28 goals, including 5 hat tricks. These stats sound sweeter when you realize he is just 19 years old and some of these goals came against top clubs like Liverpool and Napoli.

The 6 foot 3 inch Leeds born striker's profile may not exactly fit into Barcelona pedigree. Well, little does that matter as long as he is addicted to scoring goals. His game mostly revolves on physical and aerial battles, yet he is technically proficient enough to thrive at Barcelona. He may not be that quick, but that doesn't prevent him from pressing high up the pitch.

There always seems to come a time when a player outgrows his club and in the case of Haaland, it came too soon. He has been on Barca's radar for quite some time now and if the move materializes, it will prove beneficial for all parties involved.

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2. Timo Werner - RB Leipzig

Timo Werner

While Robert Lewandowski grabbed all the headlines for an inhuman start to the Bundesliga season, Timo Werner was has been more of a silent assassin. He has now scored 27 goals in all competition, at an impressive average of a goal every 78 minutes.

All through his career, be it a club or his country, the young German has netted goals with exceptional regularity. Starting his career in the youth ranks of Stuttgart, he also proved that he can flourish as a winger, if need be. He has attempted more shots per game and provided more key passes per game than Suarez this season.

Werner also boasts better passing accuracy and has that inherent ability to drop deep and involve in building attacks. All these are enough reasons for the Barcelona hierarchy to move forward and secure his services.

It seems like only a matter of time before Werner departs RB Leipzig for one of European football's giants. Some sources even state that his release clause is as low as €30 million. Even if that figures double, Barcelona should not be put off by that figure as Werner is well worth the price tag.

1. Lautaro Martinez - Inter Milan

Lautaro Martinez

Lautaro Martinez has long tipped as the next big thing of Argentina's renowned production line of strikers. Intelligent, dynamic and technically gifted, the South American has much more to his game than just scoring goals. Having already scored 13 goals for his club, he is leading Antonio Conte's mission to end the monopolization off Serie A by Juventus.

The versatile forward has formed a deadly partnership with Romelu Lukaku, operating in a 3-5-2 system. He may not be as prolific as Luis Suarez, yet he is talented enough to form a blossoming partnership with his fellow countrymen Lionel Messi at Barcelona. Standing just 5 feet 7 inch tall, he would cherish a team that doesn't rely on long balls much.

At times, his quick thinking and sharpness in front of goal are reminiscent of Suarez himself. Inter have already played Barca twice this season and it felt like an audition for Lautaro to finally end up in Camp Nou. His recent form has drawn admiring eyes from the Catalan giants. Inter would be so reluctant to let him go, hence it would require an audacious bid to tempt the Italian side into selling their gem.