Luciano Vietto is Barcelona’s main striker option

FC Barcelona are in one of their most active transfer summers in recent years and are seriously interested in improving their squad for the 2016/2017 with the forward position a major aspect they want to strengthen.

The club have been linked with a host of names to cover for the ever-present attacking trident of Messi-Suarez-Neymar with the likes of Kevin Gameiro, Nolito (now at Manchester City), Lucas Perez, Angel Correa all named, but Atletico Madrid young forward Luciano Vietto is the club’s main priority according to reports from Barcelona-based newspapers Mundo Deportivo and SPORT.

Barça want a backup striker for Luis Suarez and after analyzing all options on the table, they’ve decided to try and sign Luciano Vietto because they see him as a perfect choice as he is young, a good goalscorer and will be willing to take the role as fourth choice forward.

Initially, Barça’s main priority for that role was Sevilla forward Kevin Gameiro but the club have dropped interests as they are unwilling to pay €20 million for a 29-year old, and will rather invest it on a young striker who will be at the club for many years and that man is Luciano Vietto.

According to reports, Barcelona made an offer for Vietto’s teammate Angel Correa but Atletico Madrid gave the Catalans a straight NO for an answer as they are not ready to let him go. The Madrid club see Vietto as a player who doesn’t fit to their style, hence his transfer is more feasible although it will be difficult to let him leave for less than the €20 million fee they paid for his arrival from Villarreal last summer.

Barcelona see Vietto, an Argentine 22-year old, as a player for the future. They believe he will be Suarez’s alternative for a long time and in the end replace him. Although he didn’t have a good season at Atletico Madrid in 2015/2016, Vietto has shown what he can do during his time at Villarreal, he’s a good goalscorer.

Barça have already signed Denis Suarez from Villarreal and yesterday announced the official signing of Samuel Umtiti from Lyon, PSG defender Lucas Digne will be the next to join, all of these players are 22-year-olds and Vietto’s arrival will mean the club will make four quality youth signings for the summer.

Vietto loves FC Barcelona and is already playing his part in order to join the club. Barça also love the player and have made a formal offer for him and all that is left is the approval of Atletico Madrid.