Giroud and Negredo: Decent options for Barcelona in the short-term?

Barcelona are looking at Olivier Giroud and Álvaro Negredo

With Munir’s departure, the role of backup to Luis Suárez is vacant. Although ‘El Pistolero’ made a statement about his position in the first-team with a brace against Eibar, he needs a backup and Barcelona are looking at some experienced options to provide a short-term solution.

Apart from Girona forward and Suárez’s compatriot Cristhian Stuani, the club is considering two other players: Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud and free agent Álvaro Negredo. Both players are over 30, and would not be at the club for long after the next summer transfer window.

While Giroud’s teammate Álvaro Morata is a better option, Atlético Madrid are leading the race for the signature of the Spaniard. But Giroud is having an equally bad season at Chelsea as Morata under Maurizio Sarri. He has scored 5 goals and provided 4 assists in 24 appearances.

But the 32-year old France international’s contract expires at the end of the season, and the Blues will have to be flexible in any negotiations for him in order to minimise their loss. So, that leaves Barcelona with the upper hand when it comes to talks with Chelsea.

But the required profile does not match that of Giroud. He is tall and physical, and would offer something different. But that kind of a centre-forward would find it hard to fit into Ernesto Valverde’s tactical setup, which requires a mobile and dynamic player up front.

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Álvaro Negredo is going to be a cheaper option. He is out of contract after a short spell with UAE club Al-Nasr. The former Manchester City centre-forward has plenty of experience in Spain, scoring 130 goals and providing 38 assists in 271 appearances in domestic competitions.

But Negredo’s ability to find the net has waned in recent years. In his last season in a top European league, he scored just 9 goals in 36 appearances. He could yet be a success at Barcelona, perhaps perform better the record of Munir.

But it is likely that his appearances will be restricted to cameos off the bench or in the Copa del Rey. Nevertheless, 33-year old target man would cost nothing, and could be signed on a short-term six-month deal till the end of the season.

Negredo fits the bill when it comes to adaption to the Barça style of play. But at his age, it is debatable whether he can become the long-awaited successor to Barcelona legend Henrik Larsson.

Regardless, Barcelona should try to go after Álvaro Morata as a priority. But if they fail, Cristhian Stuani, Álvaro Negredo and Olivier Giroud also remain half-decent options.