Barcelona have reportedly set their sights on 26-year-old Argentine attacker Joaquin Correa over a late move in the ongoing window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Barcelona have kicked into action to fill a void in the attacking department following the departure of Lionel Messi. To that end, the Catalan club are showing an interest in 26-year-old Argentine attacker Joaquin Correa, who could leave Lazio in the summer transfer window.
Joaquin Correa joined Lazio from Sevilla in the summer of 2018 and has since grown considerably in stature at Stadio Olimpico. A regular feature for the Biancocelesti over the last three years, the player has steadily improved his output as well, with 2020/21 proving to be his most productive to date at Lazio.
So far during his stint with the Serie A outfit, the 26-year-old has managed a tally of 30 goals and 18 assists in 117 appearances. This summer, he was also a part of the Argentine national side that triumphed at the Copa America. And now, it looks like Correa could end up replacing one of his compatriots at Barcelona.
The Blaugrana are still reeling from the shock of Lionel Messi’s exit from Camp Nou this summer. The news has indeed come as a bombshell for most people associated with Barcelona, with Xavi and Iniesta recently expressing their sadness over the fact that Messi will no longer be a Barcelona player.
However, the Catalan giants cannot afford to lick their wounds and instead need to kick into action quickly to fill the place left vacant in the attacking unit from Messi’s departure. While the Argentine international’s void will be nigh on impossible to fill, Barcelona can at least another attacking option. To that end, Correa has emerged as a target for the La Liga heavyweights.
The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a potential summer departure from Lazio, with the likes of Arsenal, Everton and Aston Villa courting him. However, if Barcelona emerge in his pursuit, it will be very hard to turn down a switch to Camp Nou, meaning the Premier League clubs could be left on the wayside in the race to sign him.
At Barcelona, Correa is viewed as a potential low-cost option to bolster their attacking unit, with his versatility being an added positive. What now remains to be seen is if Barcelona indeed launch the offensive for the Argentine attacker or if they look to sign other alternatives instead.
