5 Players who could partner Lionel Messi up front for Barcelona next season

#3 Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund v Sevilla FC - UEFA Champions League Round Of 16 Leg Two

There is little doubt that Erling Haaland is set to be the most in-demand name of the upcoming transfer market. Borussia Dortmund's crown jewel is already considered to be one of the best centre-forwards in the world due to his sublime goalscoring feats as he's smashed in 49 goals in just 53 games for the Bundesliga side.

Haaland is the youngest player on this list but is arguably the most high-profile of the lot, at least given the demand for a player of his ilk in the current transfer climate. The 20-year-old has long been tipped to be a target for Real Madrid, but it was recently reported that Joan Laporta and co held a meeting with Mino Raiola and Haaland's representatives over a blockbuster move to Barcelona.

Should he make the move to the Nou Camp to partner Lionel Messi in attack, it could prove to be one of the most devastating combinations in world football. The Argentine is one of the best chance-creators in the sport and with the service that Haaland would receive, he could potentially go on to break a host of goalscoring records.

A player of Haaland's quality could also help the Blaugrana convince Lionel Messi to remain at the club as the Norwegian could be a game-changer. However, it is important to note that he could cost Barcelona a record fee and could command a small fortune in terms of wages and other bonuses.

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#2 Sergio Aguero | Manchester City

Argentina v Chile: Third Place Match - Copa America Brazil 2019

After a decade of excellence for Manchester City, Sergio Aguero has officially announced that he is set to depart from the club as a free agent come summer. Aguero has proven to be one of the best-ever foreign imports the Premier League has seen and has scored more goals than any non-English player, with a staggering 181 strikes to his name. His tally is only bettered by Andy Cole, Wayne Rooney, and record scorer Alan Shearer.

The Argentine is known to be one of Lionel Messi's closest acquaintances as the pair have known each other since the very beginning of their professional careers for La Albiceleste. The Barcelona captain has reportedly asked the club to sign Aguero this summer to reunite with his compatriot at the Nou Camp, and a striker of his quality could vastly improve their options.

Aguero will be available on a free transfer, which could make him even more of a viable option for Barcelona to consider this summer. Given that they have been linked with moves for players in other positions as well, a Bosman move for a stop-gap option could help fund other big-money transfers should they wish to.

That being said, it remains to be seen if Aguero does leave England to reunite with Lionel Messi at Barcelona as reports from England claim that Aguero would like to remain in England to break more records in the Premier League.

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#1 Memphis Depay | Olympique Lyon

Olympique Lyonnais v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Semi Final

Memphis Depay is among the few stars who have been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona for over a year. The Dutchman has always been viewed as a player with immense talent and technical ability, but over the last two years or so, he's shown a sense of maturity to his game that has made him a much more complete attacker.

Depay was at the heart of Olympique Lyon's dream run into the UCL semi-final in 2019/20, where they lost to eventual champions Bayern Munich. The Les Gones captain was their highest scorer with six goals in eight appearances and also managed nine goals in just 13 games during the curtailed 2019/20 Ligue 1 campaign. This year, he's picked up right where he left off as he's racked up 16 league goals and nine assists for Lyon.

Depay could be a great fit to line up alongside Lionel Messi and co at Barcelona. Given that he's already worked with Ronald Koeman for the national side, the manager knows how to bring the best out of the forward who could add another dimension to the Blaugrana.

Whether it's on the left of Lionel Messi, ahead of him, or in a two-striker set-up in Koeman's new 3-5-2 set-up this season, Depay could be an ideal player for Barcelona this summer. The fact that he will be available on a free makes it an incredibly attractive proposition for the club and Ronald Koeman has already claimed in the past that he is keen to reunite with the Dutchman.

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