Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City and Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan are Barcelona’s main defensive targets for next summer. Because Ronald Araujo’s and Andreas Christensen’s futures are unknown, the Catalan giants have made finding a replacement centre defender a top priority.
After taking an indefinite hiatus to address mental health concerns, Araujo’s season has taken a turn for the worst. After his disastrous Champions League performance against Chelsea last month, the Uruguayan fell into a deep despair.
Though it’s unclear if he can reclaim his spot in the squad, he intends to return after the Christmas break. The Catalan powerhouses may profit from him in the summer, according to certain sources. However, Christensen’s contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, and Barcelona has no plans to extend it.
Over the past two seasons, the 29-year-old’s ongoing injury issues have hindered his development and caused him to fall down Barcelona’s defensive hierarchy. A prominent ball-playing left-footed centre-back who can eventually lead their defence is what Barcelona is seeking to add to its roster.
Two world-class defenders as top priorities for next summer
Gvardiol is seen to be the best fit for Barcelona’s needs from a sports perspective. He is a perfect fit for a squad that builds from the back because of his ease on the ball, space defence skills, and elite experience.
But Manchester City’s position is the biggest barrier. The Premier League squad find it difficult to let go of regular starters, particularly defenders who are so important. Conversely, Bastoni offers an alternative that is just as appealing. At 26, he has a number of more peak years ahead of him in addition to maturity.
However, Inter views Bastoni as a key component of their concept, much like City. Nevertheless, Barcelona respects his leadership abilities, tactical acumen, and consistency. However, both names are still a part of a long-term strategy rather than an immediate operation for the time being. Barcelona already knows exactly where it wants to make investments if its financial condition improves.
