Reports: Barcelona desperate to sign new striker in January

What's the story?

According to the reputed Spanish outlet Marca, FC Barcelona are desperately looking for a new striker in January and has identified several targets. Their list of possible candidates include the likes of Cristhian Stuani, Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud among others.

According to the report, Barcelona are in the hunt to reinforce the attacking depth of the squad for the remainder of the 2018/19 season.

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Cristhian Stuani emerges as the immediate candidate with the Girona forward having boasted a quite sensational goal-scoring record in the club's two-year spell in LaLiga Santander. He has already scored 12 goals in the La Liga and is a serious contender for Pichichi besides Barcelona's own Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez..

Despite the abysmal displays, Barcelona are also looking into both Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata as Chelsea are keen to offload particularly for the Spanish striker who failed to impress Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.

The other unlikely option remains Fernando Llorente who hardly had anything to show for with his time with Tottenham Hotspur and with the recent injury of Harry Kane, he is unlikely to move away from the club.

The heart of the matter

With the recent departure of Munir El Haddadi, Barcelona are somewhat short on their attacking depth.

Luis Suarez, who will soon turn 32 in January, is being forced to play almost every match due to lack of options in the bench which has forced the hands of Barcelona board into a desperate search of a sharpshooter.

Moreover, Malcolm's form is also a cause of concern for manager Ernesto Valverde and Barcelona fans as the newcomer failed to show confidence and settle in at the Camp Nou.

Rumour rating: 6/10

With UEFA Champions League knockouts looming in the corner, the Spanish Giants might make an attempt to sign any of the star forward in their list.

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What's next?

Although Barcelona are sailing high in the LaLiga with 43 points from 19 matches, they have often succumbed into unexpected failures in the Champions League due to tiredness and lack of squad depth.

Barcelona will be desperate to reinforce their forward line with world class signings in January as they are determined not to make the same mistakes again.