Three Forwards On Barcelona Shortlist - Report

The newspaper indicates that, with ten days left of the transfer market, the 'Guardiola Project' is nearly at its conclusion.

However, the side still requires a left forward, apparently, with Ronaldinho having since departed for AC Milan.

Three names are prominent in the shortlist for this position. First is Rodrigo Palacio of Boca Juniors. His main attribute is versatility; as well as playing out wide, he can play as a second striker or as a pure 'number 9'.

Next up, Anderi Arshavin's move to Tottenham Hotspur has collapsed, leaving Barcelona in the clear to land the Russian. However he could cost up to 20 million euros - a hefty sum for someone unproven outside Zenit.

Finally, according to Sport Van Persie of Arsenal is seen as the "purest" option and the one that would fit Guardiola's system "like a glove." However, given that he is a major Arsenal stalwart, his arrival seems unlikely at best.

Sporting director Txiki Begiristain has conspicuously failed to rule out any more signings and an approach for any one of these three is far from impossible within the next week or so.


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