Barca’s Busy Summer! FC Barcelona has had a good run in the 2022/2023 season and currently sits at the top of the La Liga table. Many who believe in the club’s prowess have bet on them winning the title despite failing to meet expectations in the previous season. Some of the others who were discouraged at their failure to bring home the title in 2021 stuck to playing slots and table games at US casino sites through uk.casino team.
With the season coming to an end and the summer transfer window approaching, clubs are getting ready to onboard talented players that will help them clinch the 2023/2024 title. Barca is no exception, especially with Sergio Busquets leaving by June.
In view of this, a few players are at the top of Xavi’s list, and we shall explore them in this article. We’ll also discuss factors the club must address for a smooth transfer process.
Barcelona’s Board Will Focus on Messi’s Return
Although it started as rumours coming from Barca’s dressing room, talks of Barcelona trying to sign the star athlete Messi are becoming a severe affair. According to Gerard Romero, a transfer expert, Javier Tebas, La Liga’s president, has agreed to sign Lionel Messi after he becomes a free agent on June 30. The Catalan digital newspaper claims that Tebas has already begun making plans for the forthcoming 2023–2024 season, considering that Messi will play for the first time under his old teammate Xavi Hernandez.
However, the club must consider finances and check out the top Barcelona defender targets for the 2023 transfer. Tebas had publicly cautioned Barca that they must reduce the pay bill by €200 million to comply with the same salary that caused Messi to leave the club in the first place when Laporta refused to work the restrictions and extend the Argentinean a new contract. Despite this, many believe that Barcelona can compete for Messi’s signing, and this is because of two significant reasons. First, Barcelona understands and accepts that Messi’s comeback will only be possible if the team can comply with La Liga’s financial regulations, and the team is making new efforts in that direction.
Second, Barca has an advantage due to Messi’s current predicament with PSG. Fans at recent home games have been booing him, and with contract renewal talks stalling, his only other offer is to play for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. The Athletic learned from sources close to Messi that the Argentine has received a €400 million annual offer to play in Saudi Arabia. However, Messi would like to remain in Europe.
10 Players Xavi Will Evaluate Ahead Of a Summer Move
Besides Messi, the club is considering other rising talents. Below are FC Barcelona’s targets for summer 2023:
Ilkay Gundogan
Reports indicate Barcelona is optimistic about signing Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer this summer. It has been reported in Spain that Barcelona is prepared to give the midfielder a two-year deal at a salary of roughly €12 million.
Emeric Laporte
Another player that Barcelona seems to have their eyes on is Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte, and the deal might become a reality, considering he has fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola. Rumours say he’s willing to take a pay cut to join Xavi’s camp.
Sofyan Amrabat
Regardless of what happens with Sergio Busquets, Barcelona has decided to bring in Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat to bolster the pivot position for the upcoming season. The Fiorentina player came close to signing in January, but the Italian club’s stubbornness prevented the transfer. However, it may be revived this summer, with the Moroccan midfielder reportedly available for €20-25 million.
Vitor Roque
Vitor Roque is a South American U-20 Championship star, leading Brazil with five goals and ranking as the tournament’s best scorer. According to rumours, the potential striker’s father requested to complete a deal with Barca after Vitor noted his interest in the club.
Denis Zakaria
According to reports, FC Barcelona is interested in signing Swiss midfielder Denis Zakaria for the upcoming season. Fichajes claims that Zakaria is still on the radar of the Catalan club despite a disappointing loan term with Chelsea.
Bernardo Silva
In January, Barcelona offered to sign the player, but Manchester City insisted that Silva remains until at least the summer. In June, the club will have another shot at getting the player, though Man City will demand the club pay his total market value, which is currently around £75 million.
Yannick Carrasco
Barcelona will look to sign Carrasco from Atletico this summer. There have been different claims regarding the agreed-upon price between the two clubs, with some sources suggesting it was €15 million and others claiming it was €20 million.
Joao Cancelo
Barcelona is also looking at Joao Cancelo, the Portuguese player whose current market value is €70 million. The 28-year-old was unexpectedly loaned out to Bayern Munich in January and has appeared in 11 games for the German club, adding to their success with one goal and four assists.
Inigo Martinez
Martinez was among the players rumoured to be on the club’s shortlist. However, according to Sport, the 31-year-old already signed a 2-year deal with Barcelona, where he agreed to receive €9 million annually, similar to what he currently makes at Athletic.
Jeremie Frimpomg
The right-back position has plagued Barcelona since Dani Alves left the club in 2016. Xavi hopes to end this struggle by signing Jeremie Frimpong, a young player with lots of potential as a right-back.
FFP Issues Should be Addressed For a Remarkable WindowÂ
Like any football club wanting the best for the season, Barcelona has its eyes out, scouting for the best ballers, especially Messi. However, Lionel Messi’s return to Barcelona is doubtful, along with the signing of some potential players. That is unless the club sorts out its FFP issues.
Barcelona has to cut its estimated 600 million wage bill by at least 200 million. LaLiga will also require the club to publish a viability plan, which will entail wage reductions, player sales, free transfers, and even cancelling some players’ contracts. These financial problems have many doubting that the club will get the players it has its eyes on, including Lionel Messi.
See More:
- Barcelona’s Biggest Victories of the Season
- Top Barcelona defender targets for 2023
- Barcelona Most expensive player
Table of Contents
