In January Luis Suarez will be 32. He has suffered from slow starts for the past two season and although the Uruguayan has, to his credit, eventually flamed up, it does bring up the question of just how long he has left with Barcelona.
Indeed, there is a generation of Blaugrana stars who are either entering or are already in their 30s and the club would be justified in beginning to look at successors for the likes of Suarez.
So, if the club casts it net far and wide, who would they want to catch? We explore four options they could possibly examine to bring in as a long-term replacement for Suarez.
Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar
Estimated fee: €215million
Strengths: Speed, cutting inside, getting past opponents, decision making, first touch
Weaknesses: Crossing, aerial ability, overplay
Compatibility: Probably not a huge surprise to see the Brazilian included on this list and it’s for good reason he is. The 26-year-old has regressed since leaving Camp Nou for Paris last year with the ease of which he finds playing in Ligue 1 hardly helping him progress to the next level. There was talk Real Madrid would go all out for his signature but the rumours have since died down and instead switched to a Barca return. And few connected to Barca would neglect the opportunity given his obvious talent and past success. However, supplanting Suarez for Neymar is complex beyond the structure of any transfer. For starters, he’s not a like-for-like replacement, the Brazilian being far more suited to a wider position or a No10 role if central. He’s also apparently not enjoyed the best of relationships with Lionel Messi which presents a significant problem.
Probability: 6.5/10
Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
Roberto Firmino
Estimated fee: €100-120million
Strengths: Tactical intelligence, offensive and defensive movement, finishing, ingenuity
Weaknesses: Ball control, maintaining possession, pass accuracy
Compatibility: Of the four forwards analysed, Firmino is the most suited even if there are certain areas which require refinement. There’s an argument to be made the Brazilian has emerged as one of the most intelligent No9s on the planet. In Liverpool’s 4-3-3, his ability to initiate the high press and then scamper away to create opportunities once possession is won back has become a key facet of their play. The 27-year-old’s brilliance on both sides of the ball make him an enticing option for Barcelona and that’s even before you add in his telepathic understanding with a man already in their ranks. During their time together at Anfield, Firmino and Philippe Coutinho formed the attacking axis which devastated teams. However, one area which would need to improve his passing. He takes risks which is vital to unlocking defences but that does mean Firmino loses the ball. Within Barca’s cyclical passing system, that won’t fly. The path to Camp Nou from Liverpool is one already laid thanks to Suarez and Coutinho, though, so don’t be surprised if Firmino is another to walk that route.
Probability: 7/10
Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
Inter Milan’s Argentinian forward Mauro Icardi
Estimated fee: €90-100m
Strengths: Goal-scoring, big-game player, efficient
Weaknesses: Link-up play, creativity, can be isolated
Compatibility: Icardi has been linked so we’ll dig into why but on the surface, he doesn’t appear a natural fit for Barca. The Argentine is the most traditional No9 on this list and it’s within that scope he doesn’t look right for the Catalan giants. Indeed, the 25-year-old is a pure apex predator and one hallmarked by precision, too. He doesn’t require many shots or even touches to make an impact, but he is so clever at creating little pockets of space to fashion opportunities. When they arrive, he hardly misses. For Inter Milan, that’s exactly what they need because they’re far from fluid in transitioning through the thirds. At Barca, the expectation is hugely contrasting. Ability on the ball, creativity and disciplined passing are on a equal footing to a goal-scoring touch. In fact, he left the Barca youth system because of his conflicting style. Even if he does become available, it’s difficult to see him rejoining the Blaugrana.
Probability: 3/10
Krzysztof Piatek (Genoa)
Krzysztof Piatek
Estimated fee: €35-45m
Strengths: Positional discipline, instinctive finisher, physicality
Weaknesses: Dribbling ability, retaining the ball, experience
Compatibility: If Barcelona want to slowly phase out Suarez while concurrently bring up a youthful option who is already at a good level, Piatek could be their man. At 23 years old, the Poland striker is far more raw than the other three examined but he’s already shown this season he has a huge ceiling. Compared to countryman Robert Lewandowski, it’s in that mold he’ll develop because Piatek is very much a physical and instinctive striker. With nine goals in 10 league games for Genoa, he’s torched Europe but it remains to be seen if the torch will one day be passed to him at an elite club. He represents a comparative risk but he’s a much cheaper alternative as a result and could even be available in January.
Probability: 6/10
