Serie A’s leading marksman has been sounded out by a variety of clubs, but the Polish hitman has his gaze firmly affixed on Camp Nou
Genoa’s Krzysztof Piatek is dreaming of a move to Barcelona, Goal understands, but the free-scoring Pole has been urged by those close to him to continue his development at a smaller club in the short term.
Piatek, 23, has been sounded out by Premier League side Leicester City, the Foxes keen on snapping up a player who has scored 13 goals in nine games this season – nine of them in eight Serie A appearances alone.
Camp Nou is the attacker’s preferred destination, however, and Genoa are working hard to keep their star man focused amid all the transfer interest. Piatek’s rich vein of form has seen him outscore Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Napoli dangerman Lorenzo Insigne.
Barcelona could well be in the market for a striker in the near future with Borussia Dortmund understood to be taking up the option to sign in-form Paco Alcacer on a permanent basis. BVB will shell out €23 million (£20m/$26m) for the Spain international.
The Catalan side are currently trying to organise a renewed deal for Munir El Haddadi, whose deal expires at the end of the current season, but the 23-year-old may still leave in search of more regular playing time as competition Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele keep the forward on the fringes.
With Munir’s future insecure, Barca may turn their attention to Piatek, who only recently joined Genoa from top-flight Polish side Cracovia.
Genoa’s chairman, Enrico Prezioso, has also confirmed interest in their key man, and expects Piatek to move on to pastures new should a bigger club make an official move.
“We are already getting lots of phone calls for him,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I’m sure that a top club will take him away from us.
“I will decide the price, but a lot of Italian and top European clubs are interested.”
Chelsea are also reported to be monitoring Piatek, although that information could not be verified by Goal.
Tomasz Magdziarz, his agent, says that his client’s success has come about as a result of his down-to-earth personality, and admits that there has been contact with some clubs in Europe.
Asked by Goal why he has hit the ground running, he said: “I think because he is a very modest person. He has had a big impact in Serie A but he stays himself to everyone.
“We are in contact with a few clubs but we never give any information about it to the press.”