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Mikel Arteta Doesn't Even Want to See Him at Arsenal: Barça Takes Advantage, Signing Closed

The 'Gunners' would have ruled out one of the most desired signings by the 'blaugranas.'

Barça Prepares for a Busy Transfer Market with a Clear Goal of Strengthening the Forward Line. Hansi Flick Has Made It Clear That Neither Pau Víctor Nor Ansu Fati Are in His Plans for the Next Season, Which Drastically Reduces the Options in Attack. Currently, The Team Only Has Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres as Natural Wingers, a Situation That Leaves Barça with Few Offensive Variants.

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Barça's trident | @FCBarcelona

In This Scenario, the Sports Management Is Already Working on Possible Additions to Strengthen the Team's Attack. The Need to Sign a Forward Is Evident, and The Question Is What Profile the Club Will Choose: a Winger Who Can Play on the Flank or a Forward to Reinforce the '9'.

Names That Appeal to Barça for the Forward Line

The Internal Debate in the Club Revolves Around What Type of Forward Would Fit Best in the Squad. Some Voices Within the Entity Advocate for the Arrival of a Disruptive Winger, Capable of Breaking Defenses and Providing Depth. In This Regard, the Names That Have Appeared on the List of Possible Signings Are Luis Díaz, Rafael Leão, and Nico Williams, Three Players with Speed, Dribbling, and Scoring Ability.

Football player wearing AC Milan shirt celebrating on the pitch.
Rafael Leão playing with Milan | @iamrafaeleao93

On the Other Hand, the Option of Strengthening the Forward Line with a Center Forward Who Can Assume the Role of Backup and Future Alternative to Lewandowski Is Also Considered. In This Section, the Main Candidates Are Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres. Both Have Proven to Be Forwards with a Lot of Goals and the Ability to Adapt to Barça's Play, Making Them Very Interesting Options to Strengthen the Attack Front.

Arsenal Withdraws from the Bid for One of Them

One of the Names That Excites the Most Is Viktor Gyökeres, and According to 'El Nacional.cat', the Swedish Forward Could Be Closer to Landing in Barcelona Than Previously Thought. Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, Which Seemed to Be Barça's Main Rival in the Race for His Signing, Has Decided to Withdraw from the Bid. This Decision Leaves the Way Clear for the blaugranas to Negotiate with Sporting, Which Has Priced Its Star at a High but Manageable Figure if Some Sales Are Activated.

Barça's Interest in Gyökeres Is No Coincidence. The Swede Fits the Profile of Attacker the Club Is Looking for: A '9' with Mobility, Ability to Associate, and a Highly Developed Scoring Instinct. Additionally, His Physicality and Aggressiveness in Pressing Fit with the Style Flick Wants to Implement in the Team. 

Viktor Gyökeres: Numbers That Frighten

If Something Has Caught Barça's Attention About Gyökeres, It Is His Spectacular Numbers This Season with Sporting. The Swedish Forward Is Once Again Having a Record-Breaking Season, with 37 Goals and 9 Assists in 39 Official Matches.

Barça Is Closely Monitoring His Progress and Knows That His Price Could Continue to Rise If He Maintains This Performance. Additionally, the Competition to Sign Him May Not Be Over, but Arsenal's Withdrawal Is a Relief for the Culers, Who Now Have the Opportunity to Negotiate with More Leeway.

With the Transfer Market Just Around the Corner, the blaugrana Board Will Have to Make a Key Decision for the Team's Future. Only Time Will Tell If Gyökeres Ends Up Arriving, but for Now, All Eyes Are on Him.