Barcelona have overhauled much of their squad this summer but head into the new La Liga season without a recognised centre-forward, leaving manager Hansi Flick to consider alternatives before the transfer window closes. Robert Lewandowski departed for Chicago Fire and Ferran Torres joined Paris St-Germain, stripping the club of its senior striking options, while their top target, Julian Alvarez, appears unlikely to leave Atletico Madrid. How Flick resolves the issue could shape the team's attacking approach for the entire campaign.

Barcelona's preferred solution is to sign Alvarez, but Atletico's chief executive has insisted he will not be sold, even for 200m euros (£170.8m), leaving Real Madrid also chasing the same target. In the meantime, Flick could deploy Lamine Yamal as a false nine, though he favours keeping the teenager on the right wing, with Dani Olmo, Raphinha and Fermin Lopez also able to play centrally, or opt for a fluid, rotating forward line. Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres, who scored 21 goals last season, has been mentioned as a possible signing, though prising him away after only a year at the club would require a significant fee. Barcelona's La Liga campaign begins away at Elche on Sunday, 23 August, with the transfer window closing on 1 September.