Flick Rings the Alarm: Barcelona Needs a New Striker

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said the Spanish league champions need to strengthen their attack following the departure of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski and English forward Marcus Rashford, amid uncertainty surrounding Ferran Torres’s future. The Catalan giants made an offer to compatriots Atlético Madrid to sign Argentine forward Julián Álvarez, but it was rejected.

Speaking to journalists after an internal training match at St. George’s Park in England, where Barcelona are holding their pre-season camp, Flick said: “I have full confidence in sporting director Deco, and we know we need to do something.” He added: “It also depends on what happens with Ferran Torres.”

For his part, Torres has remained ambiguous about his future. In a televised interview with US network NBC News, broadcast on Monday, he said: “I have a contract with Barcelona, but in football, no one knows what will happen. I’m just waiting for the right decision to be made.” When asked if he had an “ideal” destination in mind, he answered affirmatively but refused to reveal it, saying: “I just want to be happy.”

The 26-year-old Spanish international, who scored the winning goal for his national team against Argentina in the final of the last World Cup, has one year left on his contract with Barcelona. Torres has been linked with a move to French club Paris Saint-Germain, the UEFA Champions League holders, managed by former Spain national team coach Luis Enrique.

Barcelona signed English winger Anthony Gordon and German winger Karim Adeyemi this summer. Flick acknowledged that both wingers can also play as strikers. He added: “Gordon and Adeyemi can play on the wings and also as a central striker, so we already have many options,” noting that young Spanish talent Lamine Yamal is also capable of playing in that position.

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has joined Ajax on loan for the 2026-2027 season, according to the 36-time Dutch league champions, who announced the deal yesterday. The Dutch club stated in a press release: “Ajax has reached an agreement with Barcelona and Marc ter Stegen.”

The 34-year-old player, who joined Barcelona in 2014 from German club Borussia Mönchengladbach, missed a significant portion of the past two seasons due to serious injuries. With Joan García securing the starting goalkeeper role under coach Hansi Flick, the Catalan club loaned ter Stegen to Girona in January. However, he suffered a hamstring injury in February during his second appearance for his new team, ending his season. Ter Stegen, who won the Champions League title in 2015 and seven La Liga titles with Barcelona, is under contract with the 29-time Spanish champions until June 2028.