Transfer Centre

Barcelona given green light by La Liga to sign a new forward

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 17 February 2020

Barcelona given green light to sign new forward

Barcelona are granted permission by La Liga to sign a forward on an emergency basis, following long-term injuries to Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez.

Barcelona have been granted permission by La Liga to sign an attacker on an emergency basis in the next 15 days.

Quique Setien's side have been dealt injury blows to two of their main attackers this season, with Ousmane Dembele confirmed to be sidelined for the next six months and Luis Suarez also ruled out until May.

The departures of Abel Ruiz and Carles Perez has left Setien with Antoine Griezmann, Ansu Fati and Lionel Messi as Barca's primary three forwards to choose from, having failed to bring in a replacement in the January transfer window.

However, La Blaugrana will now be allowed to make an emergency acquisition from one of the top two tiers of Spanish football, or sign a free agent. The club have however missed the deadline to register any new player for the Champions League.

Setien's side have been heavily linked with Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez in recent weeks, and are reportedly weighing up a £94m move for the South American once the summer transfer window opens.

Barca's 2-1 win over high-flying Getafe at the weekend sees them close the gap on leaders Real Madrid to one point following Los Blancos' disappointing 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo.