FC Barcelona is still searching for a dedicated striker to bolster that position in the squad, despite the difficulty of doing so as the current summer transfer window draws to a close.
Julián Álvarez, the star of Atlético Madrid, is Barcelona's primary target to reinforce their attacking line following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
However, Barcelona has not yet succeeded in securing Julián Álvarez's signing due to Atlético Madrid's firm stance in refusing to let the Argentine leave for Camp Nou.
The Spanish newspaper "Sport" reported that Barcelona's intention during the summer transfer market was to sign Julián Álvarez alongside another striker with more effective goal-scoring capabilities, allowing them to replace Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
It added that the Álvarez deal remains unresolved; moreover, coach Hans Flick and Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, have concluded that signing a dedicated striker is unnecessary after exploring the market.
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On the other hand, journalist Seki Rodríguez stated in remarks published by "Sport" that Barcelona rejected the idea of signing Real Madrid's new player, Carlos Espejo, who joined the royal club this summer.
Seki Rodríguez said: "Carlos Espejo was offered to Barcelona, who viewed him as a good player, but the management refused to sign him for reasons including their unwillingness to pay his release clause value of 25 million euros to acquire a player who would not be a regular starter."
He added: "The bet is on Hamza Abdulkarim; he cost Barcelona only 1.5 million euros, he is young, and Barcelona believes he can serve as an alternative option, especially since he is a decisive striker."
He continued: "A bet worth 1.5 million euros is reasonable, whereas 25 million euros is considered far riskier."
Hamza Abdulkarim joined Barcelona on loan from Al-Ahly last February, before activating the permanent purchase option this summer, and played pre-season matches with the first team under Flick's leadership.
Hamza Abdulkarim was included in Barcelona's squad lists for the matches against Elche and Athletic Bilbao in the second and first rounds of La Liga respectively, but he did not play.
