Lamine Yamal and Pedri, two of Barcelona’s most prominent players, agree that the team needs to strengthen its ranks with a top-class number 9 next season.
Although Robert Lewandowski’s numbers are still good, his performances on the pitch are raising doubts among the coaching staff and his teammates. At 36, the Pole has lost some of his vitality and no longer provides the same intensity in pressing or the ability to link up that Hansi Flick’s style of play requires.
In the dressing room, according to information from “El Nacional”, key players like Lamine Yamal and Pedri feel the need for a forward with more mobility, someone who adapts better to the team’s dynamics and can exploit the many opportunities they create from the wings and midfield. Both players believe that if the club aspires to compete at the highest level in all competitions, strengthening the attack with a reliable number 9 will be a priority.
The club, aware of this need, has already begun moving in the transfer market, with Deco’s agenda including names that are widely accepted by both the sporting management and the dressing room.
Among them is Viktor Gyökeres, the Swedish striker from Sporting Lisbon, who is having an excellent season in the Portuguese league, showcasing his goal-scoring ability and flexibility in adapting to different styles of play.
His physical strength and goal-scoring instincts align perfectly with Barcelona’s requirements, although signing him will be difficult due to strong competition and his high release clause.
At the same time, Barcelona understands that to secure such a major deal, the squad will need to be reduced. Players such as Ansu Fati or even Ferran Torres may have to be sacrificed to make room for a new striker.
But the message from the dressing room is clear: if Barcelona wants to return to the top of European football, they need an elite striker to help complement the young talents of Lamine Yamal and Pedri, who are expected to lead the team in the coming years.