Hansi Flick has openly admitted that Barcelona "have to do something" before the transfer window closes, confirming the club are actively hunting a new centre-forward to fill the void left by Robert Lewandowski's departure.

Speaking to reporters after the squad's final session of their pre-season training camp in England, the Barcelona boss struck a calm but candid tone about the club's search for a striker, making clear he wants reinforcements while insisting he trusts sporting director Deco to deliver.

"We know we have to do something"

Pressed on the state of Barcelona's striker hunt, Flick pulled no punches about the need for a signing — though he stressed that any move is tied to the future of Ferran Torres.

"It depends on the team. We have to wait. I have complete confidence in Deco and we know we have to do something. It also depends on [what happens with] Ferran. We'll see what we do."

The Catalans' attacking depth is not in question — Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Fermín López and new arrivals Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi are all at Flick's disposal, alongside academy prospects Ebrima Tunkara and Hamza Abdelkarim. But with Lewandowski having departed at the end of his contract, what the squad lacks is a genuine number nine, and Flick is determined to add that profile before the window shuts.

Álvarez dream slipping away

Barcelona's top target remains Julián Álvarez, but the dream is fading fast. Atlético Madrid have repeatedly made it clear they do not intend to let the Argentine leave, and with the board at the Metropolitano refusing to open the door to a sale, a deal is looking increasingly unlikely. The other two main targets — João Pedro and Junior Kroupi — are also understood to be out of reach for multiple reasons, raising the possibility of a surprise name arriving before deadline day.

Flick entertains the false nine option

With no striker yet through the door, Flick was asked whether he could improvise with his current options — and he did at least entertain the thought, singling out Yamal's ability to adapt to a central role.

"Lamine [Yamal] has played a couple of games with us [as a false nine]. He's a fantastic, world-class player, and he can adapt to that. Our focus is on him playing as a 'seven', but we'll see what happens. I think [Anthony] Gordon and also [Karim] Adeyemi, they can play on both sides. They can play also as a number nine. We have a lot of options, and we'll see what happens."

There is depth and versatility in attack, but the question hanging over the club is whether any of those options can guarantee goals in the most decisive matches of the season — the very reason Flick wants a specialist signed.

No panic — yet

There is still a month remaining in the transfer window, and Barça are three weeks away from opening their La Liga campaign against Elche, so time is not exactly running out — yet. The club is also still awaiting the return of its World Cup winners, with Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Young Player of the Tournament Pau Cubarsi all on extended breaks following Spain's triumph.

Flick, though, has no concerns about fatigue affecting the start of the season, insisting the taste of glory will only sharpen his players.

"Champions never stop. They know how to win titles, and it's important. This title should give them more confidence. When you work hard and focus every day, it eventually becomes something special. That's what we want to achieve this season."

For now, the message from the Camp Nou is patience — but a telling one. "We know we have to do something" is about as public an admission as it gets that Barcelona's striker search is far from over.