Barcelona looks for 'its' Carlos Espí

Apuesta a este partido aquí

UEFA Champions League

1 X 2

Barcelona Feyenoord

09/09/26 18:45:00

1.11 9.00 21.00

 PUBLICIDAD

Cuotas validas al publicarse, sujetas a cambios. Regístrese en bet365, ingrese 5€ o más en su cuenta y conseguirá un 100% de su ingreso válido en créditos de apuesta (hasta 100€). Solo para clientes nuevos. Se aplican las condiciones. Las ganancias no incluyen el importe de los créditos de apuesta. Se aplican premios máximos, restricciones de juego, límites de tiempo y condiciones. Es necesario registrarse.

The Barcelona transfer market is already working towards January to incorporate a forward with a profile similar to what Carlos Espí offered, now at Real Madrid. The sports management wants to add a player capable of acting as a game changer and deciding matches coming off the bench, after closing the summer with Gabriel Jesus as the latest offensive reinforcement.

Barcelona uses Carlos Espí as a reference for the January market

The move responds to a specific need of Barcelona: having an attacker different from the starters who can change a match in its final minutes. Espí's model combines 1.94 meters, presence in the area, and the ability to make the most of few minutes.

The forward left Levante in July to sign with Real Madrid until June 30, 2031. The White Team paid his €25 million release clause, after the forward closed his last season with 20 goals in 66 matches as a professional with the Granota club.

His adaptation also explains Barcelona's reference. Espí scored in his La Liga debut for Real Madrid against Espanyol after coming off the bench and finished the preseason as the top scorer for Real Madrid with 3 goals in 153 minutes.

Barça is not looking to bring Espí back, which is impossible after signing with Real Madrid. The idea is to find in the market a player who can replicate that function: a forward with finishing ability, aerial play, and presence in the area to show up when the match demands a different kind of attack.

The new forward should complement Gabriel Jesus

Barcelona closed the summer market with the arrival of Gabriel Jesus, who left Arsenal for €10 million plus variables and signed until 2029. The Brazilian was chosen by Deco and Hansi Flick after failing to progress with Julián Álvarez.

Jesus's signing does not rule out the planning for January. The club keeps Julián Álvarez in its sights for future windows and, at the same time, can consider a lower-cost alternative that fulfills a much more specific role within matches.

The comparison with Espí also draws from what happened at Levante during the 2025/26 season. The forward had a limited role at first and ended up scoring 11 goals in LaLiga, a performance that earned him the Best Under-23 Player award in the competition.

The game-changer profile that Barcelona is studying does not necessarily mean looking for another starting center forward. The goal is to find a complementary piece that can enter in the final minutes, attack crosses, and occupy defenders when the team needs to change its offensive plan.

Therefore, the January transfer market will be the next assessment point for Barcelona. Deco will have to decide if that need justifies an addition and what opportunities arise in the coming weeks, with Carlos Espí's profile as a functional reference rather than a transfer target.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Barcelona busca a "su" Carlos Espí