Borussia Dortmund are reportedly in need of a striker and are exploring the possibility of signing out-of-favour Barcelona star Paco Alcacer.
According to the speculative report from French publication L’Equipe, Paco Alcacer could still find a new home before the transfer window ends. The Barcelona striker is reportedly an expendable at the club. Borussia Dortmund is the latest club to be linked with the star.
Paco Alcacer has never managed to find his own footing at Barcelona since joining the club from Valencia in 2016. Under Luis Enrique, the striker managed a paltry sum of 6 goals and 3 assists, despite 21 appearances in La Liga. However, as the tally of minutes in the league read 937, it was easy to comprehend that the player was mostly an option from the bench.
His role and influence worsened under Ernesto Valverde, with only 17 appearances in the league, commanding a tally of 4 goals and as many assists. Now, the player is being constantly linked with a move away from Barcelona, with the club looking for a more accomplished deputy for Luis Suarez, one who can take over from him in due time.
Paco Alcacer was touted to be heading to the Premier League, with Southampton and Everton tipped to be the favourites to land the Spaniard. But, the English transfer window slammed shut without any movement, rendering Alcacer to play a tertiary role at Barcelona. However, the player can still be on the move, with Borussia Dortmund registering their interest in the striker.
Lucien Favre is the latest man to command the managerial seat at Dortmund. And while he has an abundance of riches in all areas, the one position where he lacks options is the forward line. Maximilian Philipp and Alexander Isak are the only players that are natural playing as a centre forward, with Favre looking to delve into the market to increase his options before the window ends.
While Paco Alcacer has not been a hit at Barcelona, his numbers at Valencia does provide validation for his ability as a striker. Another attraction would be the fact that Alcacer is likely to be available without much of a hassle and for an affordable fee.
A typical Barcelona move could be in the offing. As is often the case, Barcelona might agree to offloading Alcacer with a buyback option embedded in the deal that would allow them to not lose complete control over the player’s future.
Dortmund though, are likely to avoid any such stipulation and will go for a normal permanent deal, something that could also interest Barcelona, with the priority being that Alcacer is moved off the books.
