Barcelona were reportedly offered the chance to sign Fernando Llorente in the January transfer window as they sought to sign a striker.
According to a report by Spanish outlet AS, Napoli striker Fernando Llorente was offered to La Liga champions Barcelona in the January transfer window. The Blaugrana had been in the market for a striker last month, but were unable to add to their attacking ranks.
Barcelona spent pretty much the entire January transfer window scouring the transfer market for strikers after Luis Suarez was rendered a long-term absentee following surgery on his right knee.
With the Uruguayan superstar on the sidelines, Antoine Griezmann is the only player capable of leading the line among senior players in Quique Setien’s squad, although Lionel Messi can reprise the false nine role, if needed.
Nevertheless, Barcelona do appear to be short on numbers in attack, especially with Ousmane Dembele suffering a fresh injury. Reports have also claimed that Messi is also struggling with a thigh injury which leaves Setien down to his bare bones in the attacking department.
To that end, they were heavily linked with a move for Rodrigo Moreno for much of last month. Barcelona, though, were unable to secure the services of the Spanish international after failing to reach an agreement with Valencia over a transfer fee.
Ajax captain Dusan Tadic was named as one of the alternatives to Rodrigo, but nothing materialised. It now appears that there were other players who were either considered or offered to Barcelona, with one of these being Fernando Llorente.
Llorente has been a journeyman in Europe since leaving Athletic Bilbao after nearly two decades in 2013. Since then he has played in Serie A and Premier League while also enjoying a stint back in La Liga with Sevilla. Now with Napoli, the veteran has been a squad option this term.
For Barcelona, he could have perhaps been a handy option, seeing as he has well over decade’s worth of experience in Spanish football. To that end, the 34-year-old was offered to the Blaugrana over a late move in the January transfer window.
However, as was the case with Tadic and Rodrigo, a move failed to materialise. Barcelona now find themselves in all sorts of problems as far as attack is concerned and it remains to be seen how Setien manages his limited options for the remainder of the season, with the Catalan giants being unable to secure the services of a striker.
