Juan Bernat would be a wise signing for Barcelona

Juan Bernat is on the fringes at Bayern

Barcelona have decided against signing a replacement for Lucas Digne, who left for Everton this summer after spending two seasons at the Camp Nou. Instead, the management have brought in Juan Miranda from the B team squad.

But the 18-year old left-back is highly inexperienced, yet to play a full season for the B team. While it is a good sign, the management could have done better by promoting the more experienced Marc Cucurella, who is now looking to leave because he was overlooked for a call-up.

This season will be stiff test of character for Juan Miranda, as he will be required to play in some Copa del Rey games against some opponents who are not necessarily weak. He might even be required to play in the Champions League.

This might be too early for a player who is not even a part of the B side’s first-team. The club should try to find an inexpensive alternative to Miranda, despite the fact that the youngster is a La Masia graduate.

Bayern full-back Juan Bernat has always been overshadowed by David Alaba, who is considered as one of the greatest Austrian footballers of all-time. His contract expires at the end of the season, and the young Spaniard is being linked with an exit.

Paris Saint-Germain are the favourites to sign Bernat. They offloaded Yuri Berchiche after he failed to impress following a move from Real Sociedad, and are looking for a competitor for Layvin Kurzawa, who is no longer considered good enough to be a starter in Paris.

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But Barcelona are offering some different, a competitive environment similar to that in Bayern Munich. Bernat has the skill-set required to be a success at the Camp Nou, and holds many similarities with Jordi Alba, the first-choice left-back.

He is short in stature, possesses explosive pace and the ability to link up with his teammates, along with the ability to deliver quality balls into the box from wide areas. He was even being linked with a move to Catalonia before he chose to work with Pep Guardiola in Germany.

Bernat would get less playing time under Ernesto Valverde than at PSG, but it would be insignificant. He would not find it difficult to adapt too. Éric Abidal could also sign him on a cut-price deal, holding leverage over Bayern in this situation.

If Juan Bernat fails to adapt or just plays differently like Lucas Digne, he could always be moved on in favour of Juan Miranda. But for now, the club is going for the treble and needs quality on the bench. Miranda has the potential, but not the ability at this moment.

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The best option would be for Abidal to negotiate a loan deal for Miranda in the Premier League or the Serie A so that the youngster can get a taste of top-level football, and then sign Juan Bernat from Bayern.

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