January marks signing a new No. 9

Reports in Spain suggest that Gerardo Martino is looking to bring in a tall striker to lead the line.

Numerous newspapers and websites in Spain are reporting that Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino is looking to strengthen his striking options and there are a number of surprising names on his list.
You might think that Barça don't need a striker as they have an abundance of players in the side able to score, and they are never short of goals. However the attacking options are all similar with Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Alexis Sanchez all falling into the category of a 'false number 9' position. Martino is looking to sign an experienced striker who is more of a predator in the penalty area on a short term deal to the end of the season.

According to French publication Le Figaro, 35-year-old David Trezeguet is at the top of the list. The Frenchman is currently on loan at Newell's Old Boys from River Plate. Trezeguet has had a fantastic goalscoring record throughout his career for club and country scoring 259 goals. Barcelona have been linked with the man before during his time at AS Monaco and Juventus, however, in the twilight of his career it comes as a surprise to see him linked once again. He has experience of playing in La Liga before with Hercules and finished top goalscorer for them scoring 12 league goals. With the support of players like Messi, Pedro, and Iniesta et al, he could still manage to chip in with a few goals and provide the option Martino wants. It is not just Trezeguet that is the surprise rumour, Miroslav Klose is also linked with a move to Spain. Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo reports the German is on their shortlist. Another 35-year-old, he has also had a superb career and goalscoring record wherever he has been. He has particularly been impressive for Germany and in the major international competitions.In fact, Germany have never lost a game that he has scored in. He has the joint record for most goals for Germany with Gerd Muller, 68. Currently playing for Lazio, Klose would provide Barça with another short term option. At this stage of his career he would jump at the opportunity as himself and Trezeguet must be surprised at the rumours themselves.

The surprise rumours don't stop there, with Martino also considering Georgios Samaras as an option for his target man role.
Aged 28, he is considerably younger than the aforementioned, and has a few more years left on the clock. For when Neymar and Messi aren't producing the goods Samaras would offer a more classic striker approach.
He has obviously impressed in the recent games against the Catalan giants, and has been known to step it up in other big matches, often having great games against Glasgow Rangers too. In a poll conducted by El Mundo Deportivo, Samaras came out on top with 41% as the striker fans would like to be signed.
His contract is up at the end of the season and Barcelona may swoop for a cut price deal in January.