Barcelona 'end interest in new striker'

Barcelona have reportedly admitted defeat in their hopes of bringing a new forward to the club before the end of the January transfer window.

The Spanish champions have been linked with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Rodrigo Moreno and Olivier Giroud after being hit with the news that Luis Suarez will be out for a long period with a knee injury.

However, according to the Evening Standard, Quique Setien's side have now accepted that they will not be able to sign a new striker before the window closes for business.

The report claims that a move for Rodrigo failed as Barca wanted an initial loan deal, while Arsenal made it clear that they were not prepared to sell Aubameyang in the middle of the season.

Everton's Richarlison has also been linked with a switch to Camp Nou, although suggestions that an £80m bid arrived from the Catalan giants are allegedly wide of the park.

Barca relinquished first spot in La Liga last weekend as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Valencia, allowing Real Madrid to move to the summit one day later. However, Setien's side returned to winning ways on Thursday night as they thumped Leganes 5-0 in the Copa del Rey.