Ronald Koeman is already lining up ambitious transfers with Barcelona.
As per Mirror, the Dutch national team manager is ready for his Barcelona challenge and has already planned a major squad revamp in order to put up a better show next season. The former Southampton boss is planning for a major squad trim by letting go of as many as 6 players.
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This comes in the aftermath of the 8-2 drubbing of Barcelona at the hands of Bayern Munich which only showed the deeper problem that lies at the club. That defeat was the result of a series of bad decisions that the board has been making since the past 3 years. The squad lacks depth and young blood. The average age of the squad is at an all-time high and the defence lacks the pace to defend against counter-attacking teams. In short, Barcelona have hit their rock-bottom.
Among the rumoured six players who might fall as a result of the former Barcelona player and captain’s arrival are said to Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Arturo Vidal and Samuel Umtiti.
The Dutch National team manager is looking to give the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Antoine Griezmann an extended run in the XI. Griezmann arrived last season for a huge sum and hasn’t delivered to the expectations that were set for him. Philippe Coutinho’s future at the club has also been blown wide open following the recollection of the former Southampton boss’ comments on the Brazilian’s transfer in 2017 from Liverpool to Barcelona.
Apart from Umtiti, the other five players are in their thirties and have considerably slowed down. Umtiti, 26, is one of the most injury-prone players in the squad and has spent most of his time this season on the bench. The Blaugranes need to part ways with him if they are to make improvements to their existing defence.
Sergio Busquets, who is the vice-captain of the squad and Jordi Alba, who is the third captain of the squad are also set to be left out of 57-year-old’s plans. Umtiti’s rumoured destination is said to be Serie A while Rakitic has been linked to a ,move back to his former club, Sevilla. He has also been linked to Manchester United this season with the Croatian midfielder already having fallen out of favour by ex-boss Quique Setien.
Luis Suarez has been linked to a move to MLS while PSG seems to be interested enough in Arturo Vidal to make a move for him. it must be mentioned that Suarez has also been linked to Ajax.
Barcelona are in a desperate need of a change. They have dug themselves a hole deep enough to give them scars that could last for many years. Ronald Koeman is a forward thinker and he is what the club needs now. Though rumoured, he is the favourite to replace Quique Setien at the helm.