Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that his club are planning to move for a new centre-forward during this summer's transfer window to ease the workload on Robert Lewandowski.
The Poland international is having an impressive first season at Camp Nou, scoring 25 goals in all competitions, but the likes of Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres have struggled to contribute in 2022-23.
Memphis Depay's January exit has left Barcelona short of options in the final third, but the Catalan outfit are not in a position to spend a huge fee on a new forward due to their financial situation.
There are still plenty of suitable options for the club, though, and here Sports Mole looks at five possible attacking acquisitions for Xavi's side ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
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An emotional return for Lionel Messi to Barcelona remains a possibility, with the World Cup winner's contract at Paris Saint-Germain due to expire at the end of June.
PSG were eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, with Messi finding it difficult to influence the contest with the Bundesliga champions.
The 35-year-old remains one of the leading players in world football, though, scoring 18 goals and registering 16 assists in 30 appearances in all competitions during the 2022-23 campaign.
Inter Miami are pushing to bring Messi to the MLS, while PSG are still hoping to sign him to an extension, but there remains speculation surrounding a possible return to Camp Nou.
The Argentine left Barcelona in the summer of 2021 due to the club's financial problems, but it is no secret that he did not want to depart the Catalan giants.
Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach)
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According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are currently battling "two to three Premier League clubs" and Inter Milan for the signature of Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram.
The France international's contract is due to expire at the end of June, and it appears increasingly likely that he will be leaving Monchengladbach in search of pastures new.
Thuram has been in impressive form during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 14 goals and registering four assists in 24 appearances in all competitions.
The 25-year-old could be the perfect player to support Lewandowski at Barcelona next season, and it has been suggested that the Frenchman is leaning towards a switch to Camp Nou.
However, the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur could yet tempt him to the Premier League with a higher salary.
Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
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Roberto Firmino will leave Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of June, which will spark a battle for his services, and Barcelona are said to be one of the clubs interested.
The Brazilian has enjoyed huge success at Anfield, scoring 108 goals and registering 79 assists in 354 appearances, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Champions League.
The 31-year-old has contributed 10 goals and five assists in 27 appearances this season, meanwhile, and he came off the bench to score in last weekend's 7-0 success over Manchester United.
Firmino will believe that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level, and the Spanish league could certainly suit his style more as he enters the latter stages of his career.
Jonathan David (Lille)
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Jonathan David is unlikely to be a Lille player next season, with a number of clubs believed to be interested in signing him during this summer's transfer window.
The 23-year-old, who represented Canada at the 2022 World Cup, has scored 18 goals and registered four assists in 28 appearances in all competitions this season.
David has 16 goals and four assists in Ligue 1, while he has netted 50 goals and registered nine assists in 124 matches for his current side since arriving from Gent in August 2020.
The Canadian will not cost huge money this summer, but he has the potential to develop into one of the most exciting forwards in world football due to his power, speed and finishing abilities.
Barcelona could face intense competition for him in the upcoming market, though, with the likes of Man United and Arsenal also said to be admirers of his talents.
Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco)
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Wissam Ben Yedder is not a long-term option for Barcelona, with the Frenchman set to turn 33 in August, but he continues to find the back of the net on a consistent basis.
Indeed, the forward has 22 goals in 33 appearances for Monaco this season, while his overall record for the principality outfit now stands at 95 goals in 157 outings, in addition to providing 30 assists.
Ben Yedder also boasted an excellent scoring record during his time at Sevilla, netting 70 times in 138 appearances, including 38 goals in 91 La Liga outings.
There is no question that the striker knows how to find the back of the net, and he might be viewed as the ideal player to provide back-up to Lewandowski next season.
Monaco have their captain on a deal until the summer of 2024, though, and the Ligue 1 outfit will be desperate to prevent him from departing in the upcoming market.
Matt Law
