Barcelona: Valverde locates five perfect candidates to replace Suarez

Barcelona are in need of a new number nine at the Nou Camp, here are five candidates Ernesto Valverde has set his sights on.

It is no secret Luis Suarez is ageing and that Barcelona are already looking into the future and identifying possible solutions for when the Uruguayan departs. Ernesto Valverde knows full well that an ideal candidate needs to be brought in before Suarez’s form dwindles completely and the Catalans are left without options.

Suarez has already admitted that he is looking at his future after Barcelona which is hinting that he is nearing an exit or at least on the cusps of a future away from the Nou Camp.

And now Mundo Deportivo via Forbes have identified five players who Barcelona and Ernesto Valverde are thought to be looking at as potential replacements for Suarez in the future.

Here are those five players.

1. Marcus Rashford

The first name on Mundo Deportivo’s list who they believe Barcelona are looking at is the Manchester United forward. The English international has been in good form this season after being named United’s first choice number nine by Solskjaer. Rashford has nine goals in 15 appearances in the Premier League and the young forward is renowned for having a prolific goalscoring record.

His pace and ability to play out wide as well as the fact that he is still only 22 years old makes him an ideal candidate for Barcelona. His versatility will give Valverde more options and his age will give him plenty of time to develop and improve and hit his prime.

With already so much experience and over 50 goals in his Manchester United career, Rashford could certainly fill the void left by Luis Suarez. He might not even be that expensive either with United probably willing to let him go for the right price.

Rashford is a great option to lead the line, with his pace he can run in behind defenders and he could be a formidable force in LA Liga if the Catalans do make a move.