'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Despite winning another LaLiga title, FC Barcelona finished a chaotic season under Ernesto Valverde. Messi and Co. failed again to qualify for the Champions League final, showcasing their defensive frailties against Liverpool in the second leg of the prestigious Champions League semi-final night at Anfield Stadium.
The fans felt another shock as the Catalonians let go of the chance to keep the Copa del Rey in their trophy cabinet. Barcelona suffered at the hands of Valencia, on a night when Valverde had to start a team without a traditional centre-forward.
Barca's No.1 striker, Luis Suarez, missed the match due to his knee surgery and Valverde kept his faith on Lionel Messi. Despite the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Sergi Roberto and Ivan Rakitic around, Messi could not dominate the Valencia defence. If Barca had come out with a proper centre-forward in the absence of Luis Suarez, we might have seen a different scoreline.
Last season, Suarez scored 25 goals and provided seven assists from 33 LaLiga appearances with an average of 62% shooting accuracy. Suarez, 32, may have played his last season as Barca's top #9.
If the Blaugrana want to compete for something more than LaLiga and Supercopa de Espana, they should sign a proven striker first. Here, we are going to see three players whom Barcelona could target during the summer transfer window.
#3 Alexandre Lacazette
If Barca want to bring a proven striker, Alexandre Lacazette could be an option. After his successful spell at Lyon, Lacazette joined Arsenal in 2017. Though his first season with the Gunners was an average one, he proved his class last season, scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists from 35 Premier League appearances.
Lacazette is a clever runner and can finish the game by his own abilities. Though he averaged only 48% shooting accuracy last season, Lacazette was an integral part of Unai Emery's offence in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old Frenchman could destroy any defensive line if he pairs up with Lionel Messi at the heart of Barcelona's attack. As per a few reports, Barcelona are monitoring the forward. Lacazette's addition to Barca's squad will surely boost up their offensive stability.
#2 Nicolas Pepe
It is expected that the 23-year-old Cote d'Ivoire international is going to be the next big thing in European football. Nicolas Pepe endured a tremendous season for Lille OSC, racking up 22 goals and assisting 11 times from 38 Ligue 1 matches. His successful period in the French league helped his team to finish the season in the second position.
If we take a look at his overall statistics, we will find how much potential this fellow possesses. In the French league 2018-19, Pepe averaged 64% shooting accuracy and 79% passing accuracy. He also completed 32.44 touches per match on an average during last season in the league.
Nicolas Pepe is fast, hard-working and pretty much precise with his finishing touches. He can be a centre-forward as well as a right winger. Stories from different media outlets have already suggested that several European heavyweights are monitoring the forward. Barcelona could join the race and sign one of the best aspiring assets.
#1 Wissam Ben Yedder
Barcelona could sign Ben Yedder as he has already proven himself in LaLiga and big stages like the Champions League and the Europa League. Ben Yedder joined Sevilla from Toulouse FC back in 2016. In the 2018-19 season, he scored 18 goals and supplied nine assists in LaLiga with an average of 74% passing accuracy.
On the field, Wissam is a very active striker who never feels tired of chasing the ball. He can shoot perfectly with his both legs. As a result, this season in LaLiga, he scored eight goals with his right leg and eight goals with his left leg while two goals came from headers.
A few Spanish publications have claimed that FC Barcelona are plotting to launch a bid for the 28-year-old Frenchman. Ben Yedder could fill up Barca's offensive voids with his own abilities.
Who do you think Barcelona should target in the summer? Let us know in the comments below!
