Xavi is targeting marquee players including Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah after they were armed with a £235million naming rights deal with audio streaming platform Spotify...CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Barcelona are trying to restore their status as Europe’s elite with the statement signings of Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah.
The Spanish side reached a low point last summer after the exit of Lionel Messi but they are on their way back up after Xavi took the reins midway through the season. Barca have some exciting players coming through the ranks including Pedri, Gavi and Ronaldo Araujo, who recently signed a contract extension, while the club are exploiting the free agency market by adding the likes of Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie from AC Milan.
Xavi is targeting marquee players as well after Barcelona were armed with a £235million naming rights deal with audio streaming platform Spotify which will help facilitate their major rebuild as they look ready to challenge once again for the main honours at home and abroad.
Bayern Munich talisman Lewandowski is at the front of the queue as the Poland skipper made it clear he wants to swap the Allianz Arena for the Nou Camp. Salah has also been linked with a move to Catalunya with his Liverpool future up in the air.
The Egyptian has yet to agree on a new deal at Anfield, which runs out in the summer of 2023, as he weighs up his options. Salah declared he will still be wearing a red and white shirt come the start of the season but didn’t give any guarantees that he will extend his stay beyond that.
And Mirror Football can exclusively reveal that Salah has been promised a move to the Catalan giants next summer on a free transfer. It’s believed that Barcelona’s potential offer is a major reason behind the forward stalling on a new deal at Liverpool despite informing close friends a few months ago that he was ready to commit his future to the Merseyside club.
If Barca can land both Salah and Lewandowski who are in the prime of their careers, it would be a major statement of intent after rivals Real Madrid won the La Liga and Champions League double. Several of Barcelona’s current first-team players would have to make way for the pair’s arrival, but Xavi would have a tantalising starting line-up at his disposal for the 2023/24 season.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been a regular for Barca in goals and with three years to run on his deal, should remain their no.1. Sergino Dest’s future is up in the air, while Dani Alves hasn’t been offered a new deal following his impressive short-term stint, paving the way for Cesar Azpilicueta to arrive as their first-choice right-back. Araujo will be partnered by Christensen in the centre of defence with Jordi Alba at left-back.
Barca hope to find suitors for Oscar Mingueza and Samuel Umtiti, but it could be difficult to shift the latter who signed a four-year deal in January with reduced wages so the club could register Ferran Torres in January.
Sergio Busquets is still operating at a high level and will take his usual spot in the base of Barca’s midfield. He will be joined by new boy Kessie and Pedri, who hopes to put his injury troubles from last season behind him.
Barca want to cash in on Frenkie de Jong who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, as well as moving on from Miralem Pjanic who has two years left on his current deal.
Lewandowski is keen on a move to the Nou Camp but Barca would have to find a buyer for Memphis Depay and Martin Braithwaite who both want to remain at the club. Depay’s contract expires next summer but Braithwaite is tied down for a further year.
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Ansu Fati has been linked with a move away from Barcelona but Xavi wants to build his side around the talented youngster. If Salah arrives next summer, that would likely spell the end for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon international is under contract until June 2025 but Barca have an option to cut him loose next summer, something they would likely exercise to accommodate the arrivals of Lewandowski and Salah.
Ousmane Dembele’s imminent exit will also free up some space on the wage bill for the new signings, while Adama Traore and Luuk de Jong don’t look like sticking around either following their respective loan moves.
Barcelona’s potential XI in 2023/24 season: Ter Stegen; Azpilicueta, Araujo, Christensen, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Pedri, Kessie; Fati, Salah, Lewandowski.
