Barcelona have registered their interest on the striker Cedric Bakambu.
Barcelona’s active search for a striker have been long going for now. Ernesto Valverde is currently without a back up for the Uruguayan Luis Suarez and is looking at the transfer window to bolster his front line.
Paco Alcacer completed a loan deal to Borussia Dortmund during the summer transfer window. He has been scintillating for the yellow wall which prompted Lucien Favre to lure him to Signal Iduna Park on a permanent basis.
Besides, the transfer of Munir El Haddadi to Sevilla in this window has put Barcelona in an untidy position going into the second part of the season. The striker moved to Sevilla in a deal of 1 million Euros since his contract runs down in the forthcoming summer.
It is no brainer about Lionel Messi’s capability to operate through the middle as a striker, but the squad depth would come into play as the season is too long and injuries and suspensions might pile up at one point of time.
📰 | Barcelona has chosen Stuani (32) to solve their problem of a backup striker after the departure of Munir. Valverde wants to incorporate him into the squad and Eric Abidal and Ramon Planes intend to resolve the matter quickly. The Uruguyan has a release clause of €15M. pic.twitter.com/x5iGQd1Now
— Culé Source (@CuleSource) January 14, 2019
The La Liga outfit have been linked with Alvaro Morata, Fernando Llorente, Christian Stuani, Olivier Giroud, and Lucas Perez. But, those five strikers are currently key to their side and with a couple of players from that list making move elsewhere too.
With the above mentioned five players looking unlikely to ply their trade to Barcelona in the upcoming months, the Catalans have started to look at other alternatives. Apparently, Cedric Bakambu is another name who is being listed in the shortlist, according to the Spanish publication Sport.
Barcelona interested in move for Cedric Bakambu https://t.co/A0HCn7UYNl — Barcelona linked with swoop for Cedric Bakambu
— footballespana (@footballespana_) January 20, 2019
The DR Congo International is currently away at China representing Beijing Sinobo Guoan who paid 65 million to acquire his services during the summer of 2017. He has not been performing at his best at Asia which might force Barcelona to make a move.
With hard work and strength in his CV, he might be the perfect backup to Luis Suarez. Even though there is a huge gap in terms of quality, he possesses certain traits which remind everybody of current Barcelona’s number 9.
Most Expensive African Players
1. Cedric Bakambu | Villareal to Beijing Guoan | £65 million.
2. Riyad Mahrez | Leicester City to Manchester City | £60 million.
3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Dortmund to Arsenal | £55 million.
4. Naby Keita | RP Leipzig to Liverpool | £48 mn.
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) July 22, 2018
Additionally, Bakambu has already played for Villarreal and knows the league really well. The Congo International has found the back of the net 32 times in 75 times for the Spanish club during his three-year stint.
The report also indicates that the answer has been ‘no’ from the Chinese club who are looking to keep him as he has another three years in his contract. Barcelona will be looking to contact his agent to prise a move away. There are still 10 days left in the transfer window and it will be interesting to see how they would react.
