Amid all these complications, one name stands out as a potential beneficiary of Barcelona’s crisis at centre-forward: Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim. He joined the first team during pre-season, and Hansi Flick remains keen to keep him with the group just days before the Joan Gamper Trophy.
Hamza earned that decision by shining in the friendlies. His displays have given the Egyptian a genuine chance to keep working with the first team, at the very moment Barcelona are searching for a fix to their out-and-out striker problem.
For Hamza, the crisis could become an exceptional opportunity. He has found himself in the German coach’s plans at an unexpected time, and with the new season looming, he could become one of Flick’s fresh bets.
Picturing Hamza as Barcelona’s main striker from day one is naturally difficult, given the responsibility the role carries in a team fighting on all fronts. But emerging as an option off the bench looks a strong possibility.
Flick may turn to him in the awkward games where Barcelona need an out-and-out striker who can win aerial balls and attack crosses. That gives the Egyptian a particular edge, with no other player in Flick’s squad offering similar qualities in this area.
Here lies the twist. The lack of a ready-made solution in the market could flip from a crisis for Barcelona into an opportunity for Hamza Abdelkarim.
The more the Álvarez deal drags on, and the further the club drifts from signing a new out-and-out striker, the likelier it becomes that Flick is forced to use the players already at his disposal.
None of this means Barcelona have decided to build around Hamza, or that he is now the definitive answer to their problem. But the German coach’s continued faith in him through pre-season confirms the door remains open.
The type of match in which Barcelona may need an out-and-out striker to attack crosses also sets Hamza apart from the rest. Raphinha or Adeyemi can operate as a false nine, yet the Egyptian offers a more traditional presence inside the box.
Flick, then, may find himself with an attack built on variety rather than a fixed centre-forward. He could deploy Raphinha or Adeyemi as a false nine in some games, then call on Hamza Abdelkarim when the occasion demands an out-and-out striker to exploit crosses and aerial play.