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La Liga: 5 veterans who could be the missing piece for Barcelona

Barcelona are missing one final piece of the jigsaw, so Ameen Rabban takes a look at five strikers who could be joining the Catalan giants to complete the picture.

La Liga: 5 veterans who could be the missing piece for Barcelona

Barcelona’s productivity during this summer’s transfer window has been near flawless having secured Denis Suarez, Lucas Digne, Samuel Umtiti and Andre Gomes, all young and exciting talents, for a combined £66 million. Now all that’s left to complete the jigsaw is a striker who will act as a back-up to the prestigious trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

The role has been publicly advertised by the club but, so far, there have been no takers for the vacancy. The Catalans have seen their number one target, Luciano Vietto, opt to join Sevilla from Atletico Madrid while their number two target, Kevin Gameiro, is close to moving in the opposite direction.

It’s understandable that a number of forwards would be put off by a transfer to the Camp Nou this summer. Neither younger players who want to progress or those at the peak of their careers looking to continue that momentum at a higher level would find the prospect of sitting on the bench for the majority of the season appealing. What Barca, therefore, need is a striker who understands the patience this role requires but who also possesses the self-confidence to make the most of the opportunities they are given, similar to Henrik Larsson. It may, then, be worth investing in a veteran and here we look at five who could thrive in Catalonia.

Robin van Persie

It’s fair to say that Robin van Persie’s most prolific days are behind him but he has a wealth of experience at elite level for both club and country so would understand exactly what is required to be successful at Barca. Despite an underwhelming campaign in Turkey with Fenerbahce, the Dutchman still registered 16 goals - numbers which would be more than welcomed.

The former Arsenal and Manchester United front man still has good movement in and around the box and is clever with his link up, aspects which are crucial in order to fit in with Barca’s creative geniuses. He’s always had a touch of finesse that has nicely complemented his powerful left-foot which makes him capable of scoring from both inside the box and from range with innovation which he displayed during the 2014 World Cup with a magnificent diving header against Spain.

Even though he turns 33 next month and has declined a little physically, his stardom from a few years ago would be respected and given he wouldn’t be short of service, his strong finishing ability could allow him to hit the ground running.

Aritz Aduriz

The story of Aritz Aduriz’s Indian summer is a remarkable one and it gets better and better. At 35 years of age, the best version of Aduriz should be long gone but his effect on Athletic Club is like that of a 28-year-old at the peak of his powers. Over the previous three seasons, the Spaniard has scored a total of 86 goals, including 42 last term, which earned him his first call-up to the national team since 2010 and a place in La Roja’s squad at Euro 2016.

Whether it be a one-touch finish from close range or a trademark swivel and shot that arrows into the top corner, the Basque striker has repeatedly shown that he has no trouble finding the back of the net. Beyond these goalscoring credentials that Messi and co would be proud of, the attributes that define Aduriz would give Barca an extra weapon in attack. He’s a physical competitor, regularly wrestling with defenders which creates space for those playing around him while his aerial prowess is ruthless - a dimension that could prove useful whenever Barca are having trouble breaking down opponents with their precise passing.

Barca know these qualities all too well given they were on the receiving end of an Aduriz hammering in last season’s Spanish Super Cup. Beaten comfortably 5-1 on aggregate by Los Leones, the Catalans were bullied by the ex-Valencia man who netted four of those five goals, including a hat-trick in the first leg.

Jonas

Barcelona have made a move for Benfica forward Jonas in their hunt for attacking reinforcements, the striker's agent has revealed.
Barcelona have made a move for Benfica forward Jonas in their hunt for attacking reinforcements, the striker's agent has revealed.

Having left Valencia in 2014 somewhat lacking in confidence and under appreciated by Los Che, Jonas’ move to Benfica has revitalised his career and put him back on the radar. The Brazilian has been dazzling the fans at Estadio da Luz for the last two years with terrific skill and ingenuity and has developed a great knack of being in the right place at the right time to inspire his side to two Pimeira Liga titles.

His 55 goals in 75 appearances attests to this, earning him the nickname ‘Pistolas’ (pistol) from the Benfica faithful and last season was the first time in his career that he hit more than 30 goals in a single campaign.

Jonas is happy and loved in Portugal so luring him away would prove difficult but Barcelona would be acquiring a player who’s a constant nuisance and capable of scoring all types of goals. He’s a fine all-round finisher, proving his worth for Aguias with headed goals, close range strikes and a fair share of worldies from outside the box with both right and left foot.

The 32-year-old is technically gifted (more so than the others on this list), able to dribble past opponents, dizzy defenders with sharp turns and link-up with fancy tricks and flicks. His versatility would be valuable too, despite playing best as a number nine, he can operate slightly deeper as a number 10 or on both wings.

Mario Gomez

Mario Gomez celebrates after scoring Germany's goal in the Euro 2016 Last 16 match against Slovakia
Mario Gomez celebrates after scoring Germany's goal in the Euro 2016 Last 16 match against Slovakia

The Germany international could be considered a similar player to Aduriz, perhaps not as polished but given that he’s four years younger than his counterpart he may be the more attractive proposition for Luis Enrique. Gomez enjoyed a revival on loan at Besiktas from Fiorentina last term where he netted 28 times in 41 appearances and finished as a champion of Turkey. Having looked uncomfortable in the Viola set-up in the last two seasons, a move away from Italy could well be on the cards.
 
Barca could also use Cristian Tello as a bargaining chip as the side from Florence have expressed an interest in signing the winger after he spent the last six months on loan at Stadio Artemio Franchi last season.
 
On the pitch, Enrique could utilise Gomez in the same way Joachim Low did at Euro 2016. The ex-Champions League winner is not quick or particularly mobile or even the most aggressive but he’s a good focal point of the attack, someone who Messi and Neymar could play off and his presence is often felt by defenders. This ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play encourages the midfielders to also join the attack, something Germany clearly missed during their semi-final defeat to France.

Carlos Bacca

AC Milan's Carlos Bacca celebrates
AC Milan's Carlos Bacca celebrates

The Colombian is well-known to followers of La Liga after experiencing the most fruitful spell of his career at Sevilla between 2013 and 2015. The 29-year-old was on the front of Catalan sports daily ‘Mundo Deportivo’ this week with the headline ‘Plan B’ so interest is certainly increasing and he has an attitude that Luis Enrique will take to instantly.

In many respects Bacca is similar to Suarez; tough, aggressive, and always trying to unsettle centre-backs by hook or by crook. His all-action approach and willingness to continually make runs in behind or drift into the channels to stretch defences is what endears him to supporters wherever he goes and those sort of runs would be rewarded at Barca with exquisite passes into his path.

And wherever he goes, goals simply follow him- 76 in three years in South America, 31 in two seasons at Club Brugge, 49 with Sevilla and a further 18 during his first season with AC Milan.

What stands out with Bacca, especially during his time with Sevilla, is his habit for scoring big goals in big games. At the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, he regularly netted against the best teams domestically and in Europe including two in the final of the Europa League in 2015 which was the Andalusians’ second of three consecutive triumphs in the competition. It’s a priceless attribute to have at the highest level.