There has been a dearth of good quality strikers in Barcelona, and the Catalan club has failed to attract a top name ever since the signing of Luis Suarez in 2014. Players like Kevin Prince Boateng, Martin Braithwaite, Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong have all failed to make a startling impression.
While trailblazing Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland has emerged as the big dream for Barca, they are on the winter transfer market looking for a stop-gap solution once again. According to Barcelona based media source Sport, the Catalan club are looking at Elche striker Lucas Boye who has a release clause of 25 million euros. However, this could be reduced to just 10 million euros if Elche are relegated from La Liga.
Boye is an Argentine striker who has been playing for Elche since September 2020. Initially signed on a loan deal, the option to buy was exercised in the summer of 2021. He has scored 14 goals and has four assists across 64 games played in Spain. In the current Liga campaign, he has netted seven goals and has also assisted two goals in 17 matches, equalling his contribution from last season within just six months.
Following Sergio Aguero’s sudden retirement due to a heart ailment, Barcelona have been short-staffed in attack. Ansu Fati has suffered another relapse, while Martin Braithwaite has also been out injured for plenty of games. Head coach Xavi wanted to add more depth to his team upfront.
Initially, Barca wanted to secure the signing of Spanish striker Alvaro Morata, but Boye has emerged as a low-cost alternative. Boye’s experience in Spain also makes him a strong contender for the Catalans. The Argentine seems to have found his feet, and according to reports, even Atletico Madrid are looking at him as a possible replacement for Luis Suarez.
There seems to be a new twist in the Morata and Barcelona saga. Juventus recently signed an agreement with Dusan Vlahovic over a 75 million euros deal which will see the Serbian striker in hot form moving to Turin. This deal seems to have reignited Barcelona’s interest in Morata who could be on the way out.
Although only a few days remain in the winter transfer window, if Juventus are able to officially announce and register Vlahovic, it could lead to an exit solution for Morata.
