Spanish La Liga holders Barcelona are looking quite active from the very start of the summer transfer window having bolstered their squad big time with four signings in the form of Andre Gomes, Samuel Umtiti, Denis Suarez and Lucas Digne. However, The Blaugrana’s search for someone who could act as a cover to the famed attacking trident of the Catalan giants ‘MSN’ still goes on. If reports from Spanish publication Sport are to be believed, Luis Enrique’s side has struck a deal with Sevilla for French forward Kevin Gameiro.
Details of the deal are to be ironed out in the coming week while a fee has not been quoted as well. However, unless there are any late hitches, the 29-year-old looks set to become a Barcelona player pretty soon. The Frenchman joined Sevilla from Paris Saint-Germain back in 2013 with the hope of jolting his career back to life. The Frenchman successfully did that for the Los Rojiblancos, also firing the Spanish side to three successive Europa League titles.
Barcelona were looking for a perfect cover for their dangerous trio up front- Messi, Suarez and Neymar and in Gameiro, they will get a persistent goal threat if either of the trio misses through injuries or suspension. Although both Suarez and Messi are naturally very much fit but they are close to their thirties now and sooner or later, injuries will come to haunt the best attack of world football.
Gameiro is a proven forward in both French Ligue 1 and La Liga and would be the ideal backup to Barcelona’s deadly trio, something the Blaugrana missed since Pedro moved out last summer. The Frenchman is a strong striker with a clinical finish, which compensates for his relatively light frame. With a decent pace on his locker and a very good link up play, Gameiro suits Barcelona’s philosophy perfectly.
When you are moving to a club that has a gifted attack of Messi, Suarez and Neymar, you know that your game time will be limited. For the individual career of Gameiro, the move to Barcelona does not make much sense. He deserves much beyond being just an ‘impact sub’. However, we cannot totally blame the 29-year-old for his lack of ambition as clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid are always tough to say no to.
Barcelona already possess one of the strongest first XIs in world football but what Luis Enrique is targeting is loud and clear that is an invincible team. With solid depth at every position, future could be even brighter at Camp Nou.
