Pedri backs Barcelona’s current attacking options despite striker search

Barcelona midfielder Pedri does not believe the club need a prolific centre-forward, despite their decision to sign Gabriel Jesus after failing to bring in Julian Alvarez from Atletico.

Barcelona had spent the summer waiting for Atletico to release Alvarez, but were ultimately forced to pursue an alternative before the transfer window closed. That move resulted in the signing of Gabriel Jesus shortly before the deadline.

The Catalan side’s need for a recognised striker remained a talking point in their latest match. In Sunday’s La Liga meeting with Valencia, which Barcelona won 5-0, the central attacking role was once again filled by Raphinha, a player more commonly used as a winger.

Pedri has now offered his view on the absence of a traditional goalscorer in the squad. His position is that Barcelona are not necessarily missing a “super goalscorer”, despite the club’s summer efforts to strengthen their attack.

The issue has gained attention because Barcelona had appeared to identify Alvarez as their preferred target during the transfer window. The Argentina international was the player the club had been waiting for Atletico to make available, but that pursuit did not lead to a deal.

Instead, Barcelona turned to Gabriel Jesus and completed his signing just before the transfer window closed. Even so, the arrival of the Brazilian did not change the attacking selection for the match against Valencia, with Raphinha again operating at the point of the attack.

Barcelona’s results have provided strong support for Pedri’s assessment. After four matches, they are top of the Spanish league with a maximum 12 points. They have also scored 17 goals and conceded only two, giving them a goal difference of 15.

Their five-goal victory over Valencia was the latest indication of an attack capable of producing without a specialist striker leading the line. Raphinha’s role in that match was another example of Barcelona relying on a nominal winger in the central position.

The club’s summer recruitment plans nevertheless show that adding a forward had been considered important. Barcelona pursued Alvarez throughout the summer before changing direction and signing Gabriel Jesus immediately before the transfer deadline.

For now, however, Pedri does not regard the absence of a headline goalscorer as a problem. Barcelona’s perfect record after four La Liga games, together with their 17 goals, means the team have begun the season in first place despite the uncertainty surrounding the make-up of their attack.