Barcelona are preparing a number of alternatives for the centre-forward role after the departure of Robert Lewandowski and uncertainty over the future of Ferran Torres, with Hansi Flick testing options from the opening day of pre-season.
The German manager is looking for a player capable of operating as a false nine rather than relying solely on a traditional penalty-box striker. Barcelona are making a strong attempt to sign Atletico de Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, but the Madrid club remain determined to keep the Argentina international and have so far rejected the prospect of selling him to Barcelona.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick is planning for every possible outcome and has identified several players who could be used in the central attacking position if the club are unable to secure Alvarez or lose another forward.
One of the leading possibilities is Dani Olmo. He began his career as a conventional striker in Barcelona’s academy before developing into an attacking midfielder or winger. That background means the position would not be unfamiliar to him, while his instinct for scoring has remained a significant part of his game.
Fermin Lopez is another candidate. The midfielder is a more traditional product of Barcelona’s academy, but his direct style and willingness to shoot make him a potential fit for the role. He regularly looks to move forward, possesses a strong goalscoring instinct and is comfortable attacking space.
Flick has not yet tested Fermin in the false-nine position, but the player’s ability to arrive in advanced areas could make him an attractive option as Barcelona assess their attacking structure.
Raphinha is also viewed by the coaching staff as a natural contender to play through the middle. His movement gives him the flexibility to leave the wing and operate in more central areas, while Lamine Yamal has already played as a false nine on two occasions.
Those options could become particularly important if Barcelona’s recruitment plans do not produce the required solution. When sporting director Deco entered the transfer market looking for players who could replace Lewandowski and potentially cover for Ferran Torres, he focused on wingers who could also perform as centre-forwards.
That thinking led to the arrivals of Anthony Gordon, who has played as a central striker for Newcastle United, and Karim Adeyemi, who is also capable of filling the same role.
Ferran himself is not considered a conventional centre-forward. Flick is seeking similar qualities in his false nine to those he sees in the former Valencia player: goals, an ability to press opponents, intelligent movement without the ball and the awareness to exploit open spaces.
During pre-season, Flick has also experimented with the young players Ebrima Tunkara and Toni Fernandez. Their involvement gives him further alternatives while Barcelona continue to consider how best to replace Lewandowski and protect themselves against a possible departure for Ferran.
The number of candidates under consideration reflects the uncertainty surrounding the position. Rather than depending on one direct replacement, Flick is building a group of solutions based on mobility, pressing and attacking movement, with the six principal options offering different ways for Barcelona to reshape their forward line.
