After the club failed to enhance their attacking options on deadline day, they confirmed the squad numbers for the season, with the Dane moving from No. 19 to the vacant No. 9.

Fans were quick to question the move as one tweeted: “That's a damning measure of how bad the things have got at Barcelona. What a downgrade from Suarez too.”

“What the hell is Braithwate doing with that number,” another added. “That is disrespect to Suarez and the number. I don't know what to say.”