3 realistic striker options for Barcelona after RFEF's approval to sign striker in 15-day emergency window

Barcelona were linked with a plethora of strikers in the January transfer window, including the likes of Inter's Lautaro Martinez and Valencia's Rodrigo. But an unclear transfer strategy, new manager's appointment midway through the crucial period and limited budget rendered all their efforts to bring in a backup striker to the Cam Nou futile.

Long-term injuries to their No.9 Luis Suarez last month and the recent news of Ousmane Dembele's extended recovery period has left them in limbo. They had also sent Carles Perez on loan last month and are now looking light in the attacking department.

So, it seems that the reigning champions are back in the market for a striker despite the transfer window closing two weeks ago. The good news is the club has now received the green light from the Spanish FA to sign a striker, but there's a catch. They can only sign free agents or players currently in Spain and even if Dembele is back from injury early, he won't be available for selection until next season.

Not only do they have to sign a player within the next 15 days, but it is also understood that they don't have a lot of money to spend at the moment, so that limits their options.

How can Barcelona sign a striker after the transfer window is closed?

LFP discipline code article 124.3 allows Spanish clubs to sign players outside the transfer window if one of their squad members suffers a long-term injury during the season, but only after that RFEF gives its nod to do so.

As per the clause, the preliminary criteria for consideration by RFEF for allowing such transfer is the extent of the injury. The authority will only approve the signing of a player if the expected absence due to the injury exceeds five months, which is the case for Dembele who is said to be out for six months.

It is understood that Barca had sent Demebele's medical report to the Spanish FA's medical commission, who, after deliberating for 72-hours have approved their request.

Now they will have to complete all formalities of the transfer within 15 days. So, with that being said, here we take a look at the three strikers that Barcelona could look to sign in the next 15 days.

#3 Lucas Perez

Deportivo Alaves v Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga

Lucas Perez is a decent striker and after a flop spell in the Premier League with first Arsenal and then West Ham United, he has returned to La Liga with Deportivo Alaves this season.

Under normal circumstances, he is not the kind of player that would be associated with a move to Barcelona but this season, after injuries to Suarez and Dembele, he is reportedly one of the top three candidates to be brought to the Nou Camp as a temporary replacement.

He has scored nine league goals in 23 starts for Deportivo this season, making him the second-highest Spanish goalscorer in the league, behind Angel Rodriguez, Roger Marti and Gerard Moreno, who each have 10.

Lucas only joined Deportivo last summer for a reported fee of €2.5 million and that makes him a very viable option for the Catalans, who would not like to spend much on a striker who would most certainly become surplus by the end of the season.

Though he may not be No.1 on the list for Barcelona, his nine goals, including seven on the trot last year are proof that he is a reliable option and would help provide some relief to Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann up front.

#2 Martin Braithwaite

CD Leganes v Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga

Martin Braithwaite is one of the latest names joining the long list of strikers that Barcelona are supposedly considering signing in the coming days.

The former Middlesborough striker has six goals and an assist in the 24 appearances for Leganes in La Liga and his ability to play on the wings as well gives him a distinct advantage over other players like Angel, Perez and Roger Marti, who are all out and out strikers.

Also, reports suggest that Levante are unwilling to negotiate with Blaugrana for their top scorer Marti and would only consider parting ways with him if Barca agrees to pay his €30 million release clause.

Braithwaite only cost Leganes €5 million in the summer following a short term loan deal in the January of 2019 and though he has signed a long-term deal with Los Pepineros until the summer of 2023, he has a release clause of around €20 million which could facilitate his transfer to Camp Nou.

Also, he shares the same agent as the Blaugrana’s star midfielder Frenkie de Jong, so it is believed that negotiations and communication between the two Spanish clubs will not be a problem.

#1 Angel Rodriguez

The player who stands the best chance to secure a dream move to Barcelona, albeit a short one, is Getafe striker Angel Rodriguez. Rodriguez has scored 10 goals this season, despite only 950 minutes and boast an impressive ratio of a goal every 95 minutes, which roughly equals to a goal per game.

He recently scored a beaut in Getafe's 2-1 loss against the Catalans at the Camp Nou. He is intermittently used by the Madrid based club, despite being their top scorer and it is reported that the third-placed side would be more than happy to cash in on the player who they signed for free in 2017.

He has a €9 million release clause, which is significantly less than all the other options available to Barca and the club's willingness to let him go would help expedite the entire process and hopefully a deal would be wrapped in the 15-day deadline given to Barcelona.

If a deal is agreed, we will have to wait and find out whether he'll continue his goalscoring form with Barcelona and prove a stroke a genius from the club?

Edited by A. Ayush Chatterjee