Barcelona send the paperwork to La Liga and begin the process to find a replacement for Ousmane Dembélé.
Barcelona are set to be without Ousmane Dembélé for six months after the player underwent surgery to repair his hamstring. The club was counting on his return but are now left short on attacking options.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalans have already sent the proper paperwork in hopes of being allowed to sign a forward as a replacement. Once the league receives the paperwork, they have 72 hours to verify the Frenchman’s recovery time and rule either in favor or against.
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The club have been studying their options ever since they announced Dembélé had torn his hamstring and would require surgery.
Diario Sport report that the club is optimistic the league will rule in their favor. If they do, Barcelona will then have 15 days to find a replacement.
Their plan is to announce their new signing as soon as the league gives them the go-ahead.
Real Sociedad’s Willian Jose was initially an option but has since been ruled out because he would be too expensive.
That leaves Getafe’s Ángel Rodriguez, Alaves’ Lucas Perez and Real Betis’ Loren Morón as the remaining candidates.
Ángel and Lucas Perez seem the most viable as they wouldn’t cost a lot of money. It would allow Barcelona to still be able to pursue a big name signing in the summer.
Morón’s signing would be the most complicated of the three as he would cost €40 million. The advantage he has over the other two is Quique Setién is familiar with him during his time as Betis manager.
Whoever they sign, they could possibly debut in the league against Eibar. It’s important to remember that their signing can only play domestically and not in the Champions League.
The injury to Dembélé left the club in a tough spot but they only have themselves to blame. It speaks to the poor squad planning of the board as they’re left scrambling to have enough depth up front.
Much like everything else this board has done, this is a short-term solution until the season ends and the transfer window opens up again.