Barcelona are touted to have a massive refurbishment of their squad in the summer and there could be a big transfer domino too.
Barcelona boss Quique Setien has guided his side to the top of La Liga in a very short tenure. The Catalans have an advantage of just one point over their arch rivals Real Madrid, but to what extent it counts remains to be seen given the suspension of matches. Nevertheless, the club will undergo a major revolution in the summer by buying and selling players, Diario GOL reports.
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Setien’s mind is primarily towards signing two attacking players, one for lifting the load off Lionel Messi’s shoulders and one to replace Luis Suarez. Neymar and Lautaro Martinez have been identified as potential targets. A transfer for the South American duo seems very much on the cards for the Blaugrana, who will massively benefit from their arrivals.
Paris Saint-Germain are desperate to hold onto Kylian Mbappe, and as a result, they are willing to sanction a cut-price sale for Neymar who they now value at 150 million euros. Inter Milan have also conceded to the fact that Lautaro Martinez may no more be on their books next year, but will not be ready to get rid of him for less than his release clause of 111 million euros.
Apart from the lethal frontmen, Barca are plotting transfers for three defensive players. Gerard Pique’s rapid ageing and slowing down means that Clement Lenglet needs a long-term partner in the heart of defence, hence, the club has decided to pursue a move for one of Milan Skriniar, Matthijs de Ligt, Dayot Upamecano or Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Catalans’ problems at right back have been well-documented since the last few years. Most recently, Nelson Semedo and Sergi Roberto have both been unimpressive and signified that it’s high time that there is a new arrival. Joshua Kimmich, Ricardo Pereira and Adama Traore are three players that Barcelona are targeting for filling in.
Finally, Jordi Alba has had persistent muscular issues having entered his thirties whereas Junior Firpo has not been up to the mark. The ex-Real Betis man has not established himself in good eyes at the club, so a transfer for somebody like David Alaba could be on the cards as Quique Setien looks for a long-term solution to his full-back issues.
Next, as many as five players are expected to leave the club. Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic are thought to have already had a foot outside the Camp Nou, as is the case with Ousmane Dembele and Samuel Umtiti. In their deal for Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain may ask for Antoine Griezmann, Nelson Semedo or Arthur Melo and Barca could oblige.
Do you see these major changes undergoing at Camp Nou despite Barca’s financial tightness?