Barça’s mercato will be an eventful one. After a lacklustre first half of the season, the club is now turning its attention to the transfer market. The Blaugrana have already identified the players they consider undesirable.
There is no let-up for FC Barcelona. Despite the end-of-year festivities, the residents of the Camp Nou have their work cut out for them. The first half of the season has been rather mixed, raising doubts about Xavi, who no longer seems to enjoy total immunity.
News from the Barça mercato
The Catalan directors, while publicly supporting him, have already found a possible replacement. If the partnership with Xavi were to end sooner rather than later, Rafael Marquez would be his successor, although this situation is not yet a reality.
The 2023 Spanish champions are gearing up for an exciting second half of the season, with La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League on the agenda. They will also have to deal with an eventful winter mercato, with the arrival of Vitor Roque and some tricky situations involving players on loan, such as Clément Lenglet. Lenglet plays little football for Aston Villa, but clubs such as Bayern Munich, AC Milan and OL are showing interest. However, the Villans are opposed to breaking off his loan at the moment.
What is certain is that Barça want to sell him. The Spanish club has also decided to part company with other defenders in the coming months. Eric Garcia, on a successful loan spell at Girona, will not be returning to Catalonia, especially as the Iberian side will be bringing back Chadi Riad this summer. FCB are looking to capitalise on their fine season to replenish their coffers, explains Sport. The Spanish media outlet reveals that they are also keen to part company with a central defender from their current squad, with Ronald Araujo looking the most likely candidate.
In addition, despite financial problems, Barça do not wish to sell Jules Koundé and Andreas Christensen, both of whom are threatened with departure. The situation is similar for Marcos Alonso and Sergi Roberto, whose contracts expire in June. The former is ready for a change of scenery, while the latter would not be opposed to an extension, although the club has not yet taken any steps in that direction.
What reinforcements will Barça make this summer?
If the number of departures has already been ticked, the number of arrivals should also be ticked. The Catalan club is looking at a number of options. One of them has already been decided. Barcelona will be able to call on the services of 18-year-old Vitor Roque during the second half of the season. On Monday, the Catalan club made official the arrival of their new striker, whose transfer was announced back in July. Barça had agreed to pay Athletico Paranaense €61 million (including bonuses) for the young Brazilian, who will become a potential competitor for Robert Lewandowski in attack.
However, another young Brazilian nugget seems to be moving away from the Blaugrana. Although he had given priority to Barça, and Lionel Messi had even reportedly encouraged him to join Catalonia, the 17-year-old midfielder is rapidly closing in on Manchester City. Unlike the Catalan club, the Citizens will have no problem paying the player’s estimated €25 million release clause in one fell swoop. However, this early setback for the Argentinian may not be the only one.
For several months now, Barça’s mercato players have also been looking at Estevão Willian, who has publicly expressed his desire to join the Blaugrana. However, Financial Fair Play could jeopardise Barcelona’s hopes. According to Mundo Deportivo, although the Brazilian is giving priority to Barça, he could finally give in and accept an offer from another major European club prepared to pay his €60 million clause.
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