Barcelona’s Pursuit of Hoffenheim’s Fisnik Asllani
Barcelona is competing with Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa for the signing of Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani, as reported.
Asllani’s Rising Star
Recent claims indicate that Asllani’s impressive performances in Germany have attracted attention from multiple clubs, with Barcelona keen to secure his signature. The 23-year-old recently transferred to Hoffenheim from Elversberg in June, but Barcelona has already earmarked him as a potential successor to Robert Lewandowski.
Striker Market Competition
Barcelona is reportedly at the forefront to acquire Asllani, but they face stiff competition from English clubs due to their significant financial resources.
Key Information on the Transfer
- Scouts from top clubs are highly impressed by Asllani, who is noted for his analytical performance metrics;
- Barcelona considers Asllani as a cost-effective alternative to players like Serhou Guirassy and Julian Alvarez;
- Hansi Flick is on the lookout for a replacement for Lewandowski, whose contract is expiring soon;
- Chelsea is assessing their striking options as Joao Pedro has not delivered since Liam Delap’s injury;
- For Aston Villa, the underwhelming form of Ollie Watkins has prompted the need for a new striker, while Tottenham is seeking a more consistent forward.
Hoffenheim is regarded as a launchpad for talent, aiming to profit significantly from Asllani’s sale, following in the footsteps of players like Joelinton and Roberto Firmino.
Barcelona’s Cost Consideration
Although an exact transfer fee for Asllani has not been specified, it is rumored that his release clause is set below €30 million (£26 million / $35 million).
Asllani has been enhancing his profile, notably scoring the decisive goal for Kosovo against Sweden during the international break. Reports regarding Barcelona’s interest originated from reliable sources, including Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, and have been reinforced by TBR’s Graeme Bailey.
Despite being a promising talent, Asllani is not yet ready to fill Lewandowski’s shoes.
Comparisons: Asllani vs. Alvarez vs. Guirassy
While Asllani played in Germany’s second tier last season, he made a mark by netting 19 goals and providing 10 assists in 37 matches. In comparison:
- Guirassy scored an impressive 38 goals in 50 games last season;
- Alvarez contributed 29 goals in 57 appearances.
Although early season statistics are limited, they indicate Asllani’s transition to the Bundesliga has been seamless, achieving five goals in his first eight matches. His recent four goals place him on par with Guirassy, despite the latter having an extra game to reach that total. On the other hand, Alvarez has seven goals in 11 games.
Alvarez is recognized for his versatility and ability to score from various positions, Guirassy excels as a goal poacher, while Asllani seems to be developing further and may become a more viable option in the future.
Barcelona’s interest in Alvarez remains strong, although his acquisition would require a significant financial commitment, which could prompt them to consider alternatives like Guirassy, especially since his release clause appears to have decreased.
Other Potential Targets
Additional prospects include Levante’s Karl Etta Eyong and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, with the latter possibly available on a free transfer at the end of his contract, offering Barcelona a chance to allocate funds to other areas of the squad.
