Friday, March 24, 2023 at 8:57 AM• Wessel Antes • Last update: 09:00

Patrick Kluivert believes that Barcelona should strengthen itself with an extra striker next summer. The 46-year-old Amsterdammer, who played for Barça himself between 1998 and 2004, states that his old employer must have a Plan B when Robert Lewandowski is not available. Kluivert mentions the names of Benfica striker Gonçalo Ramos and Liverpool veteran Roberto Firmino. The latter will leave Anfield on a free transfer next summer and seems to be the most realistic option.

Kluivert is still a big fan of Barcelona and follows the club closely. When asked about his wish list for next summer, he comes up with a clear wish. “Financial Fair Play is something you have to take into account, but who is on my wish list? That is definitely a striker. Because behind Lewandowski you need an extra option,” said Kluivert, who then comes up with two options.

“I am a fan of Ramos. I think he is a very good player, who has done well with the Portuguese team and Benfica”, says Kluivert. However, an actual arrival of Ramos seems unlikely. The right-footed striker is still fixed in Lisbon until mid-2026. According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea, among others, is in the market for the goal thief, who reportedly has an escape clause of 120 million euros. Ramos is a six-time international (four goals) for the Portuguese national team and scored 38 goals and fourteen assists in 95 games for Benfica.

It does not seem at all that Ramos likes to play second fiddle in the Spotify Camp Nou. The arrival of Firmino is a lot more realistic. The 31-year-old Brazilian recently announced that he would leave Liverpool on a free transfer after this season. The 55-time international (seventeen goals) has played no less than 356 matches in the shirt of the Reds, in which he accounted for 108 goals and 79 assists. In any case, Kluivert hopes that Barcelona will get an extra striker. “That’s what Barca needs to get stronger. The rest is fine if everyone stays.”