FC Barcelona will be one of the great animators of the summer transfer window. The Catalan club are considering many moves in both directions, including seven recruits expected in Catalonia.
The Bara is preparing for a restless summer
Second in La Liga and qualified for the next Champions League, FC Barcelona saved the day after a failed start to the season. In order not to relive such difficulties, the Catalan club has planned to reshape its workforce this summer in order to offer its coach Xavi a team that can fight for the title and shine again on the European stage.
To definitively shape a workforce in his image next season, the Barcelona coach is expecting up to seven recruits, the Spanish press announced. The objective is clear: to strengthen the workforce in all lines to increase the level of competitiveness of the team exponentially this summer.
Two arrive loops
In defense, the Bara has already completed the arrival of Andreas Christensen (26) for several weeks. The Danish central defender is at the end of his contract with Chelsea and has decided to continue his career in Catalonia. He could come accompanied by two of his teammates at the Blues: the right side Csar Azpilicueta (32 years old) and the left side Marcos Alonso (31 years old). For the left-back position, the names of Jos Gaya (26, Valencia), Alex Grimaldo (26, Benfica), Nicolas Tagliafico (29, Ajax) and Javi Galn (27, Celta Vigo) are also mentioned .
In the middle, the Blaugrana will welcome Franck Kessi (25), also at the end of his contract at AC Milan. The Catalan club is also considering the arrival of a younger element to prepare the succession of Sergio Busquets. Sport evokes the tracks Zubimendi (23 years old, Real Sociedad), Aurlien Tchouamni (22 years old, Monaco) and Ruben Neves (25 years old, Wolverhampton). The last two, however, appear much too expensive for Barcelona’s finances given the recruitment to be carried out. The Mongasque is worth at least €60m, while Wolves are asking for €118m to sell the Portuguese…
Two attackers expected
Finally, Xavi wants two attacking reinforcements: a center forward and a winger. For the first, Bara turned to Robert Lewandowski (33) faced with the complexity of the Erling Hland case, who will join Manchester City. Under contract until 2023, the Pole is the priority for Camp Nou residents, but Bayern Munich are so far inflexible. The Barcelona management is discussing with the agent of Munich, Pini Zahavi, who assures that the German champion will end up opening negotiations for a transfer estimated at 40 M€.
As a winger, Raphinha (25) is still on the books. In March, the Catalan press announced that Barcelona were ready to offer €50m for the Brazilian. Enough to crack Leeds? According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalans are also considering Sadio Man (30), whose dream would be to play in La Liga, with a preference for Barcelona. The Senegalese international from Liverpool, who has also been associated with Bayern Munich in recent hours, would be a major recruit. But the Reds will not easily let go of such a valuable element.
A wave of departures
In view of the expected arrivals, Bara will have to make room in its workforce. According to Mundo Deportivo, eight elements are not part of Xavi’s future plans and are busy packing their bags: goalkeeper Neto (32), defenders Clément Lenglet (26), Samuel Umtiti (28) and Oscar Mingueza (22), midfielder Riqui Puig (22), as well as forwards Martin Braithwaite (30), Adama Traor (26, loaned by Wolverhampton) and Luuk de Jong (31, loaned by FC Sville) .
In addition, Bara does not rule out a departure from midfielder Frenkie de Jong (24) and striker Memphis Depay (28) according to the offers. The Catalans will also have to settle the cases of winger Ousmane Dembl (24) and right-back Dani Alves (39), whose contracts end in June. Finally, Barcelona do not want to recover several loan players, this is the case of midfielders Philippe Coutinho (29 years old, Aston Villa) and Miralem Pjanic (32 years old, Besiktas), but also of winger Francisco Trincao (22 years old, Wolverhampton ).
What do you think of the players targeted by Bara? Do not hesitate to react and discuss in the area add a comment …
.