With the additions of Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah, Barcelona is attempting to reclaim their place among Europe’s best....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
When Lionel Messi’s departure last summer, the Spanish team hit rock bottom, but they’re on their way back up after Xavi took over midway through the season.
Barca has a number of promising young players rising through the ranks, like Pedri, Gavi, and Ronaldo Araujo, who recently signed a contract extension, as well as free agents Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie from AC Milan.
Xavi is also eyeing big players after Barcelona secured a £235 million naming rights deal with audio streaming firm Spotify, which will aid in the club’s major renovation as they prepare to compete for major accolades both at home and abroad.
Bayern Munich’s star Lewandowski is first in line, having made it known that he wants to move from the Allianz Arena to the Nou Camp. Salah’s future at Liverpool is in doubt, and he has been linked with a move to Catalunya.
As he considers his options, the Egyptian has yet to settle on a new contract at Anfield, which expires in the summer of 2023. Salah stated that he will continue to wear a red and white shirt for the start of the season, but he gave no assurances that his stay would be extended beyond that.
Salah has been guaranteed a free transfer to the Catalan giants next summer. Barcelona’s possible offer is thought to be a big factor in the forward’s refusal to sign a new contract with Liverpool, despite telling close friends a few months ago that he was ready to commit his future to the Merseyside club.
If Barcelona can sign both Salah and Lewandowski while they are still young, it will be a tremendous statement of purpose after Real Madrid won the La Liga and Champions League double. Several current Barcelona first-team players would have to make room for the pair’s arrival, but Xavi would have a tantalizing starting lineup to choose from in the 2023/24 season.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been a regular in goal for Barcelona, and with three years left on his contract, he should be able to keep his job.
Sergino Dest’s future is uncertain, while Dani Alves was not offered a new contract after an impressive short-term stay, allowing Cesar Azpilicueta to take over as the team’s first-choice right-back. In the middle of the defense, Araujo will be flanked with Christensen, with Jordi Alba at left-back.
Barca hopes to find suitors for Oscar Mingueza and Samuel Umtiti, but the latter, who signed a four-year agreement with lower salary in January so the club could buy Ferran Torres in January, may be difficult to move.
Sergio Busquets is still in top form and will return to his normal role at the heart of Barca’s midfield. He’ll be joined by newcomer Kessie and Pedri, who is hoping to put last season’s injury woes behind him.
Barca want to cash in on Frenkie de Jong, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, as well as release Miralem Pjanic, who has two years left on his current contract. Lewandowski wants to join Barcelona, but the Catalan club would have to find a buyer for Memphis Depay and Martin Braithwaite, who both want to stay at the club. Depay’s contract runs out next summer, but Braithwaite has a year left on his deal.
Xavi wants to construct his team around the outstanding teenager Ansu Fati, who has been linked with a move away from Barcelona. Salah’s arrival next summer will almost certainly mean the end of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s career. The Gabonese international has a contract until June 2025, but Barcelona has the option to release him next summer in order to accommodate the arrivals of Lewandowski and Salah.
Ousmane Dembele’s impending departure will free up some pay budget room for the new arrivals, although Adama Traore and Luuk de Jong don’t appear to be returning after their loan spells.
Ter Stegen; Azpilicueta, Araujo, Christensen, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Pedri, Kessie; Fati, Salah, Lewandowski; Ter Stegen; Azpilicueta, Araujo, Christensen, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Pedri, Kessie; Fati, Salah, Lewandowski; Fati, Salah, Lewandowski.
