Barcelona chiefs have reportedly been impressed with the Tottenham Hotspur striker’s impact this season.
According to a report from Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are planning to emulate Tottenham by signing a back-up number nine in a similar mould to Fernando Llorente.
Barca experienced heartache in the Champions League this season, being dumped out at the semi-final stage by Liverpool, whilst Spurs produced a miraculous comeback to beat Ajax, progressing through the the final in the process.
And Mundo Deportivo claims that the Spanish giants noticed how much of an impact Llorente had on Tottenham’s Champions League campaign, especially in the latter stages.
The 34-year-old has been a much-maligned figure since joining Spurs from Swansea City for £15 million (BBC Sport) in the summer of 2017.
Despite his poor record in front of goal fro Tottenham – he’s scored just 13 in 65 outings for the north London outfit, he has proven to be a useful asset for Mauricio Pochettino’s side recently.
Standing at 6ft 4in tall, the Spaniard provides Spurs with an entirely different option through the middle, and allows Pochettino the opportunity to mix things up tactically if he so wishes.
And that is exactly what Barcelona needed in the Champions League against Liverpool.
The Catalan giants have their own wonderful style, but it is a sign of the times and a power shift in the game that they are reportedly trying to emulate something that Tottenham have done, by bringing in a player similar to Llorente this summer.
In spite of all this, however, it is still unclear as to where the Spaniard will be plying his trade next season, with his contract set to expire this summer.
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