Monday the key day in Barcelona's pursuit of Valencia striker Rodrigo

Monday the key day in Barcelona's pursuit of Valencia striker Rodrigo

El club solo incorporará el ariete en forma de préstamo remunerado y el delantero che quiere venir / | sport

If they can't strike a deal for the forward, they have another option on the table

Barcelona don't want to risk running out of time and are working with the idea of signing a striker as soon as possible ahead of Friday's transfer deadline. 

Monday is a key day in their pursuit of Valencia's Rodrigo Moreno. They are waiting to see if Los Che will accept their offer. Barça will only close a deal if fits the club's finances, which means a loan now with an option to buy later. 

It remains to be seen if that option to buy will actually be obligatory or how the clubs will finalise the deal. In any case, Barça have another option on the table if Rodrigo falls through. 

Barça ran a move for Rodrigo by his agent, Jorge Mendes, last week. He has a good relationship with Valencia owner Peter Lim and is pushing for an understanding. 

The Catalan club don't necessarily want an obligatory buy clause in the summer, but would be willing to pay a penalty fee if they don't make the loan permanent at the end of the season. 

Valencia, meanwhile, are also reluctant to let Rodrigo go unless they can firm up a replacement. 

What Rodrigo, Mendes and Lim know, though, is that Barça have another option on the table. They have been in talks over a backup plan for a few days and the moment to make a decision is arriving. 

Rodrigo is the first choice because he knows La Liga and would adapt quickly, but they also have an experienced option up their sleeve who could come in on loan. 

Barça have sounded out several forwards this month, but the objective has always been the same: someone who can come straight into the XI with Luis Suarez injured for four months. 

They don't want any more experiments after last year's January nightmare when Murillo and Boateng were signed. They hope to have a deal done soon. 

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