Barcelona weigh false-nine options as Hansi Flick plans for life after Lewandowski

The departure of Robert Lewandowski and uncertainty over Ferran Torres’ future have prompted Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick to explore alternatives at centre-forward from the opening day of pre-season.

Barcelona are making a strong effort to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico de Madrid, but the Madrid club are currently standing firm over their player and have rejected the possibility of selling him to the Catalan side.

With Alvarez’s arrival far from guaranteed, Flick is preparing for a number of possible scenarios and is considering a false-nine solution, according to Mundo Deportivo.

One of the leading candidates is Dani Olmo. Flick has already used the Spain international in that role on several occasions. Olmo began his career as a traditional striker in Barcelona’s youth academy before developing into an attacking midfielder or winger.

That background means the position is familiar to him, while his goalscoring instincts remain one of his main strengths. Olmo’s ability to operate between the lines and contribute in front of goal makes him a natural option if Barcelona decide not to replace Lewandowski with another conventional striker.

Fermin Lopez is another possibility. The Barcelona academy graduate is primarily a traditional midfielder, but his direct style could make him effective as a false nine.

Fermin is particularly willing to shoot, attacks space aggressively and possesses a strong goalscoring instinct. Those qualities give him a credible claim to the position, although Flick has not yet tested him there.

Raphinha is also viewed by the coaching staff as a potential option through the middle. His movement could allow him to operate in a more advanced central role rather than remaining exclusively on the wing.

Lamine Yamal has already played as a false nine twice, adding another internal solution to Flick’s plans. The teenager’s experience in the position means he could be considered if Barcelona require a more fluid attacking structure.

Barcelona’s recruitment work has also taken the false-nine role into account. When sporting director Deco looked for players who could help cover Lewandowski’s departure and the possible loss of Torres, he focused on wingers with the ability to play as a central striker.

That thinking contributed to the club signing Anthony Gordon, who has played as a centre-forward for Newcastle United, while Karim Adeyemi is also capable of filling the position.

Torres himself is not a traditional centre-forward. Flick is looking for similar qualities in his false nine to those displayed by the former Valencia player: not only a supply of goals, but also the ability to press opponents, move intelligently without the ball and exploit open spaces.

During pre-season, Flick has already experimented with the young players Ebrima Tunkara and Toni Fernandez in that role.

The search for a solution reflects the uncertainty around Barcelona’s attack after Lewandowski’s departure and the unresolved situation involving Torres. Unless the club can complete a deal for Julian Alvarez, Flick may have to rely on a flexible system built around several players rather than appointing a single permanent replacement.