Who should Barcelona sign before the deadline?

Let’s have a bit of fun. Barcelona are nearing the end of the transfer window, and because it’s Barcelona, everyone expects the impossible. Part of the expected impossible is continuing to sign the world’s best players, even if they aren’t up for sale. So, since Barcelona are still in transfer talks with multiple players, let’s make the decision for them. Who should Barcelona sign before the deadline ends?

The candidates

Antoine Griezmann: Forward - Atletico Madrid

Antoine Griezmann is the most unlikely player on this list. At 26, he’s in his prime, and killing it for Atletico Madrid. Whether or not Griezmann is even on the table is probably the biggest question, but there is probably an amount of money that would have worked for Atletico. But fit is probably the biggest concern when it comes to Griezmann. There isn’t a great reason to bring Griezmann in while Luis Suarez is still one of the best forwards in the world, unless you’re going to change up your scheme and allow Griezmann to play out wide, or go to a two striker system.

I’m going to pass on this one due to doubts over the player fitting into the system, and also because I don’t think he’s for sale at the moment.

Paulo Dybala: Forward -- Juventus

To this day, I’ll never understand why 23-year-old Paulo Dybala was always discussed as a “Plan B” option for Barcelona. Perhaps it’s because Juventus are never going to sell him in the first place, at least that’s what I keep telling myself. Dybala may not being able to slide in as a natural fit into Barcelona’s attack as it currently stands, but my goodness if you’re going to fork out another £140 million or more on an attack-minded player, let it be Paulo Dybala. The lad has shown he can adjust to different positions, and let him train under Lionel Messi as the heir apparent to the throne of Barcelona. In reality, this probably didn’t get more traction because Juventus are a smart club, and selling Dybala at this point probably isn’t the smartest move.

I would pay whatever is necessary to get Dybala at Barcelona, but he doesn’t seem for sale no matter the amount. So we’re going to pass.

Angel Di Maria: Wing/Midfielder - PSG

The oldest player on this list, Angel Di Maria at 29 is one of the more unlikely stars that Barcelona have been linked with this summer. Di Maria is still an excellent footballer, but as a building block player he doesn’t make much sense for Barcelona. In all likelihood, Barcelona’s Twitter being hacked to announce his move to the club is the closest Di Maria will get to being a Barcelona player.

There isn’t much explanation needed for passing on Di Maria. I want someone who is younger with a brighter upside, and the Argentine doesn’t fit that bill.

Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Philippe Coutinho: Midfielder - Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho is a fascinating prospect. At 25 he’s in the middle of his prime years of football, and getting up into ranges of £140 million or whatever astronomical number is being thrown around, just seems wild to me for what he brings to the pitch. Don’t get me wrong, Coutinho is a really good player who can change a game. But I’m not a fan of spending nearly that amount on him, due to his injury history, inconsistent play, and the fact that he seems to have already hit his peak as a player.

The amount of money that it’s going to take to get Coutinho out of Liverpool makes him much less desirable. He could potentially be a great addition to the Barcelona midfield, but not for that amount of money.

Thomas Lemar: Midfielder - Monaco

Thomas Lemar, at 21, is the youngest member of our group. He’s also the likeliest to move to Barcelona based on recent reports. A versatile midfielder that can play on both sides of the pitch if necessary, and is probably the second cheapest option on this list. Most recently, reports suggest the talks to be around 80 million euros. It’s a wild world when 80 million euros is one of the ‘cheap options’. But nevertheless, Lemar is a fantastic, young, and flexible option that could helm the Barcelona midfield for years to come.

If it were up to me, I would go with Lemar as Barcelona’s last signing of the transfer window. The age, upside, cost, and fit all scream that he would be a perfect fit for Barcelona’s aging midfield. Sign him up.

Who do you think Barcelona should buy? Choose wisely!