'We're working on it' - Koeman confirms Barca's pursuit of a new striker

Ronald Koeman would like to have a pure No.9 in his ranks for the sake of having a variety of options to set up his Barcelona line-up.

FC Barcelona were heavily linked with the transfer of Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, who was considered to be their No.1 priority for this summer transfer window.

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio earlier this month even confirmed that Barca had made an approach for Martinez, but suggested that talks never got to a serious stage.

It was the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic that supposedly prompted the Catalans to drop their pursuit of the Argentine attacker, who is valued in the region of €80 million.

Ronald Koeman’s arrival then saw the club turn their attention to Memphis Depay, with a few reports even deeming his move imminent.

The exit of Luis Suarez has left them without any pure options for the center-forward role, and Koeman insists Barcelona could bring in a player for that position before the transfer deadline.

“It is always good to have another striker for having another plan,” said Koeman after his side’s 4-0 rout of Villarreal, according to Goal.

“It is true we can play without a striker, we have worked on how to exchange positions and to be deep when attacking, but it is important to have other possibilities.

“We are working and I hope we can occupy the position of the nine.”