5 forwards Barcelona should target as an alternative to Antoine Griezmann

FC Barcelona again won the La Liga last season and they continue to dominate the Spanish domestic league. A big part of their success was their watertight defense and superb attacking display from Lionel Messi.

It was largely due to Messi, who single handily guided the Catalan giants to La Liga and Copa Del Rey glory. His partner in crime Luis Suarez did score 25 goals last season, but they were heavily reliant on Messi to spearhead the attack.

Also, they don't have much depth in their attack as well. Ousmane Dembélé hasn't really been effective and Paco Alcacer has proved to be of no help either. Thus it is no wonder that they are being linked with Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann.

The Frenchman has been one of the best players in the world and this saga has been going on for a long time now. Earlier there was news that his move to Camp Nou is all done and dusted but now it has been revealed that his future will be sorted next week and nothing is guaranteed.

Atletico Madrid have pleaded with Griezmann to stay by offering him a contract extension with a huge pay rise, but since nothing is guaranteed he may decide to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano and Barcelona may have to look for alternatives to improve their attack.

Here are five forwards Barcelona should target as an alternative to Griezmann.

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#5 Anthony Martial

Martial is a better long-term option than Grezimann.

The Frenchman joined Manchester United at the age of 17 from Monaco and was an instant in his first season scoring 17 goals. He was a regular under Louis Van Gaal and many hailed him to be the future of Manchester United.

Fast forward 3 years under Jose Mourinho and he has found game time limited and he was competing with Marcus Rashford for a place on the left wing but since the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, his game time has been severely limited.

According to reports FC Barcelona are considering to make a move for the former Lyon academy graduate who has just one year left on his contract as well and he has linked with Juventus and Chelsea as well.

Compared to Griezmann, who is 27 years old, Martial is just 22 and he has made quite a name for himself. He is likely to be a better long-term option than the Atletico Madrid's talisman. Also with one year left on his contract, he is likely to command less fee than Griezmann.

Martial was not included in the French squad for the World Cup in Russia in 2018, and a move away from Old Trafford where is likely to get more playing time will be beneficial for his career as well.

#2 Eden Hazard

Hazard represents better value for money than Griezmann.

The Belgian wizard needs no introduction and he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world. On his day it is impossible to stop him and he is a player capable of winning trophies single handily.

Chelsea have a simple formula to win trophies: keep Hazard in good form and he will deliver. Even this season as well when the whole team had issues all over the pitch Hazard performed really well and won Chelsea the FA Cup.

The former Lille winger is a target for Barca's arch rivals Real Madrid and if the Catalan giants manage to snap him up under the noses of the Los Blancos, it will be a big blow to them. If he arrives at the Camp Nou it will be a dribbling nightmare for defenders, as in Hazard and Messi, they will have two dribblers who are statistically the best in Europe.

Also, he and Griezmann are likely to cost the same price to Barca and Hazard represents more value for money compared to Griezmann. Hazard is more of a winner than the Frenchman and overall a better player as well. The Chelsea's talisman also has just two years left on his contract and the Blues might be tempted to sell him as well.

If he wants to challenge for major honors every season Barcelona might just be the perfect club for him. Also, Eden Hazard can also flourish in Barca's attacking style of football and enjoy more freedom, something he does not have at Stamford Bridge, due to Chelsea defensive tactics.

#3 Paulo Dybala

Dybala would a like to like replacement for Griezmann.

'La Joya' is the nickname given to Argentinian which means 'The jewel'.

His performances have also been good enough to consider him the jewel of this Juventus side, who are ruthlessly dominating the Serie A.

Dybala again this season has been crucial for Juventus, in the Italian Super Cup Juve were 2-0 down and he single handily brought them back level. In the Serie A, again against Lazio he scored a solo goal in dying seconds of the game to keep Juve in the title race. While he was a super-sub against Inter providing 2 assists in last 5 minutes.

He has already spoken of his admiration for his Argentinian compatriot Messi and the Barcelona's talisman has already revealed that he has no problem playing with the Juventus star.

#4 Kylian Mbappé

Kyllian Mbappe wants to play with Lionel Messi.

19-year-old French sensation is one of the most exciting players of this current golden generation of French players. He is touted by many as a future Ballon D'or player and many have compared him with Brazilian icon Ronaldo as well.

He could become the second most expensive player if Paris Saint-Germain activates the £180 million release clause in his loan deal. Last season he scored 21 goals for PSG despite playing wide on the right.

If reports are believed to be true then the Frenchman wants to play with Lionel Messi at Camp Nou. Real Madrid were interested in him last season, but he snubbed to join PSG on loan. It is believed he snubbed the chance to join the Los Blancos so that he can play for Barca one day.

The Catalan giants should definitely pursue the teenager and with him and Dembele in the team, they can have a duo who can carry on Leo Messi's legacy at the Camp Nou for at least a decade.

#5 Mohamed Salah

Mo Salah is a big game player.

Mohamed Salah the Egyptian king of Anfield has been is sensationally form for Liverpool, so much so that he is likely to challenge Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon D'or. He has broken many records and won many individuals awards as well this season.

The former Chelsea winger is now clearly one of the best players in the world and he looks all set to shine at the World Cup as well. He is also a big game player scoring against Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Roma and Tottenham as Liverpool finished 4th in the Premier League and in the final of the UEFA Champions League.

The former Roma winger is just 25 years old and there have been constant rumors about him joining Barcelona or Real Madrid and these rumors are just refusing to go away.

His style of play is similar to Lionel Messi but the Argentinian has now dropped more deep to influence the game, which means Salah could play further forward and score goals, while Messi can run the show by dropping a bit more deeper.

Salah, so far has had just one good season, but his goalscoring form is better than Griezmann this season and if comes to Camp Nou the fans can expect plenty of goals from him and Barca can once again become a more attacking team rather a balanced one.