Barcelona eye Fiorentina star as Sergio Busquets’ replacement
Barcelona has been on the lookout for a pivot to replace Sergio Busquets, who confirmed that he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the current season. The Catalan club has been exploring the market for potential replacements, with two names doing the rounds: Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Ruben Neves.
While Neves is represented by Jorge Mendes, one of the most powerful agents in football, Barcelona’s hierarchy is not convinced that he is the player that fits the No. 6 profile. There is no consensus within the club, and they don’t see him as the ideal replacement. In fact, the club prefers a player of the Amrabat style, even before Ilkay Gündogan.
According to Sport, Amrabat is the first choice for the pivot role. The 24-year-old Dutch-Moroccan has impressed at Fiorentina, where he has been a regular starter since his arrival from Club Brugge in 2020. He has also shone on the international stage, helping Morocco to reach the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup.
However, much will rely on Barcelona’s transfer budget this summer. The club is reportedly facing a financial crisis and may not be able to afford Amrabat’s price tag, which is believed to be around €30 million. In that case, they may have to look for cheaper alternatives or fix their financial crisis.
In any case, Barcelona needs to act fast, as Busquets’ departure leaves a huge void in their midfield. The 34-year-old has been a key player for the Catalan club for over a decade, winning numerous titles, including seven La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues. He will be sorely missed, but Barcelona has to move on and find a suitable replacement to fill his boots.
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Do you think Sofyan Amrabat or Ruben Neves can replace Sergio Busquets or should Barcelona look elsewhere?