Lewandowski and Silva Among Targets

Regardless of ending 13 factors behind champions and bitter rivals Actual Madrid final season, there’s a feeling of optimism beneath membership legend Xavi Hernandez that has been ascent for numerous years.

For all their monetary shortcomings, returning president Joan Laporta has carried out extremely properly within the switch window since steadying the ship following the ousting of his fraudulent predecessor, Josep Bartomeu.

The likes of Eric Garcia, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sergio Aguero (now sadly retired) have been introduced in on free transfers in 2021 together with Ferran Torres, whereas AC Milan’s Franck Kessie and Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen adopted go well with this summer season in two extra high-profile free acquisitions.

Whereas there have been rumours of a number of first groups gamers being made accessible in the marketplace to alleviate the financial pressure on the membership, most notably Frenkie de Jong, we’re looking at how Barcelona may line-up subsequent season as they give the impression of being to ascertain themselves amongst Europe’s elite as soon as extra.

GK – Marc Andre Ter Stegen

No qualms over this one, Barcelona’s dependable first alternative goalkeeper since 2016 is anticipated to stay on the Nou Camp for an additional 12 months.

Though he endured his hardest season but final marketing campaign, he has the backing of the board and the Blaugrana devoted.

RB – Cesar Azpilicueta

A possible new arrival on the right-hand aspect of defence, Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is anticipated to finish a £7million transfer to Catalonia imminently. New proprietor Todd Boehly was pictured within the metropolis this week the place negotiations over his switch have been rumoured to have taken place.

The 32-year-old has lengthy been linked with a transfer again to his native Spain, and he would definitely be a welcomed addition to an usually fragile Barcelona back-line.

CB – Andreas Christensen

As talked about, Barcelona’s raid of Chelsea’s defence took its first step after they confirmed the signing of Danish centre-half Andreas Christensen.

Whereas this switch has been on the playing cards for properly over a 12 months, his arrival provides invaluable Premier League and Champions League expertise and matches the profile of an clever, ball-playing defender who ought to slot into Xavi’s system with ease.

CB – Ronald Araujo

Very similar to the good Barcelona staff of 2009 with Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol, this centre-back paring has one technician and one tough and rugged determine.

Ronald Araujo is one other gem to emerge from the La Masia youth system, and the towering Uruguayan is an era-defining defender who has boundless potential at simply 22.

A significant presence in set-pieces, astute on the ball and commanding in his defending, he’s future captain materials.

LB – Jordi Alba

One of many few veterans left from the 2015 treble-winning aspect beneath Luis Enrique, Jordi Alba continues to be a loyal servant to Barcelona.

Whereas his defensive positioning is questionable at occasions, his management and undoubted playmaking skills on the left means he retains his place for subsequent season.

Marcos Alonso, one other Chelsea defender, can be anticipated to make the transfer to northern Spain together with Azpilicueta, which ought to present some a lot wanted rotation for the 33-year-old.

CDM – Sergio Busquets

One other of Barcelona’s final remaining previous guard, Sergio Busquets has proven little signal of slowing down at 33.

Now captain, the silky-smooth captain is rumoured to be considering of a transfer to the MLS as soon as the upcoming season has ended, however for now he’ll stay, as he has for therefore a few years, on the coronary heart of Barcelona’s passing machine.

CM – Pedri

There will not be sufficient superlatives to explain this once-in-a-generation expertise. The teenage midfielder made extra appearances than anybody in a Barcelona shirt through the 2020/21 marketing campaign, and was sadly hampered by accidents final season.

Nonetheless solely 19, the mercurial Spaniard will don the well-known quantity eight jersey from subsequent season which was famously worn by Andres Iniesta all through his profession. Whereas it’s simple to attract comparisons between the 2, Pedri is a mind-blowing expertise in his personal proper and might be key to Barcelona’s success subsequent season.

We are able to think about he’s Xavi’s dream as a supervisor.

CM – Franck Kessie

With Frenkie de Jong seemingly edging nearer to the exit with the membership in determined want of a considerable money injection, it appears Franck Kessie might have a giant function to play instantly after arriving.

Snapped up on a free switch this summer season, the Ivorian is an extremely versatile participant who operates primarily as a box-to-box midfielder. A selfless all-rounder who’s simply as snug snuffing out hazard as he’s weaving his well beyond opponents.

This might transform a really shrewd addition to Xavi’s renaissance – he reminds us loads of former Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita who was a quiet but integral a part of Pep Guardiola’s success as supervisor.

Winger – Raphinha

One in all three rumoured names that make up our ahead line, Leeds United’s mercurial Brazilian Raphinha is rumoured to be very shut to creating the swap to Catalonia.

Whereas his present membership agreed a charge with Chelsea two weeks in the past, it appears the 25-year-old is intent on seeing a life-long dream come true as he holds out for an improved bid from the Blaugrana.

Usually silky on the ball as a Brazilian, he combines stupdenous shut management with explosive velocity, a knack for locating the web and an inherent starvation to win.

Winger – Bernardo Silva

This transfer very practically occurred a 12 months in the past when it regarded as if Bernardo Silva was deemed surplus to necessities by Manchester Metropolis manger Pep Guardiola.

Quick ahead to now, and the Portuguese magician was an integral half within the Cityzens’ Premier League success final season. With 13 targets and 7 assists in all competitions, he definitely reminded followers in every single place of his supreme expertise.

Whereas the likelihood of this hearsay rests on Barcelona’s potential to amass extra funds, we will’t consider a participant extra suited to Barcelona than Silva.

Simply think about how Xavi may deploy his fleet-footed skills.

Centre-Ahead – Robert Lewandowski

Once more, this switch might rely on whether or not Frenkie de Jong does certainly head for the exit this summer season.

Nevertheless, this has been arguably probably the most strongly rumoured switch story of this window and the Poland captain is seemingly determined for a transfer to the Nou Camp.

The 33-year-old is considered one of, if not the, greatest striker in world soccer and his file speaks for itself. 344 targets on 375 video games for Bayern Munich is a really stupendous return, and his arrival at Barcelona may very well be the catalyst in them difficult for La Liga as soon as extra.

That is seemingly the almost certainly switch to occur out of those listed, with the participant holding out for Laporta to make a transfer. Whether or not the membership can feasibly take into consideration bringing him in with out inflicting additional injury to their financial state of affairs is the one street block.