Barcelona faces striker crisis after Lewandowski and Ferran exits

FC Barcelona enters the 2026-27 season without a recognized center forward after the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, leaving coach Hansi Flick to improvise with a 'false nine' Source: El Confidencial. The club has signed wingers Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, and Jesse Bisiwu, but none is a natural '9' Source: El Español. Flick has admitted the squad may still need reinforcements: "Puede que todavía nos falte algo; lo veremos esta semana" Source: Infobae.

The striker search

The priority target, Julián Álvarez, remains at Atlético Madrid, which refuses to sell to a direct rival Source: El Confidencial. Other options like Vlahovic have faded Source: El Español. With the transfer window open until the end of August, the club may still sign a striker, but no deal is imminent Source: Excélsior.

Tactical solutions

Flick has experimented with Raphinha and young Hamza Abdelkarim as false nines in preseason Source: El Confidencial. Analysts suggest Dani Olmo or Fermín López could fill the role, with Lamine Yamal as a more disruptive option Source: La Vanguardia. The team will rely on positional interchange and high mobility, a shift from the traditional target man Source: La Vanguardia.

Context and challenges

Barcelona defends its La Liga title, having been the top scorers in the last two seasons Source: La Vanguardia. The club's squad value (€1.28 billion) is second only to Real Madrid, but the league has been dominated by Barcelona, Madrid, and Atlético for 22 years Source: El Confidencial. Flick acknowledges the team may not peak until late September due to the World Cup's impact on fitness Source: Infobae.