Hansi Flick ready to bet on 29-year-old superstar as Barcelona’s No. 9 if Julian Alvarez deal fails
Barcelona will resist the temptation to sign another centre-forward this summer if their pursuit of Julian Alvarez does not come to fruition, with Hansi Flick already having a clear alternative in min...
Hansi Flick is considering 29-year-old star player Raphinha as Barcelona’s No. 9 if the deal for Julian Alvarez does not succeed, according to SPORT. The club has not planned to sign another centre-forward this summer if their pursuit of Alvarez does not succeed, and Flick has already identified Raphinha as his clear alternative.
The Brazilian has been preparing for the role of a mobile striker alongside Flick, who has been working with him to develop his ability to interpret the position differently from a traditional penalty-box striker. Raphinha's movement, intensity, and understanding of Flick’s football make him a natural candidate for the position.
He has already scored three goals for Barcelona, strengthening the belief that he is a suitable choice for the No. 9 role. While Barcelona’s priority remains Julian Alvarez, the club is not in a rush to sign an alternative if the deal fails. Instead, they have been developing a Plan B internally, with Raphinha being the first choice striker if Alvarez does not arrive.
Other players like Fermin Lopez, Anthony Gordon, and Karim Adeyemi can also offer different solutions in attack, but Flick is confident that Raphinha will handle the responsibility.
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