Barcelona looking for ways to reduce 22-year-old Premier League midfielder’s cost

Barcelona have made a shortlist of players they will look to target once the summer transfer window opens, with signing a holding midfielder at the absolute top of the priority list.

Ideally, the Catalans would have signed a player like Martin Zubimendi to replace Sergio Busquets, but stuck in a delicate financial position, they cannot afford to shell out €60 million for his signing.

As such, the focus has shifted to other players, including a certain Amadou Onana, who currently plies his trade at Everton.

Barcelona are considered big fans of the player, who excels at winning the ball, carrying it over large distances, and his remarkable positioning off it. However, unsurprisingly, a player as good as the Belgian is expected to cost a fair bit, too.

Barcelona looking to reduce €60 million price tag

Everton are set to demand €60 million for any team that will look to pursue Onana this summer, including Barcelona. Should they get relegated, though, the price could slash by up to 50%.

SPORT, meanwhile, report that Barcelona are studying ways to reduce the €60 million price tag Everton are demanding.

Onana is currently very high up the list of possible summer signings for Barcelona, and they want to do their best to push for his signing.

One way to do that is by offering the Merseyside outfit players in exchange. Previous reports had claimed Fermin Lopez, Clement Lenglet, Sergino Dest, or even Ansu Fati could be a part of this merry-go-round.

Arsenal are also reportedly keeping tabs on Onana, but the player seems to be prioritising a move to the Camp Nou over North London.

Other priorities

While the pivot is probably Barcelona’s biggest headache of the summer, signing a left-winger is also reportedly very high up on the list.

Joao Felix has been filling in the role this season, and unlike the supporters, the club seem to be happy with his contributions. They are pushing for his signing, alongside Joao Cancelo also, who has done exceedingly well.

Barcelona will also focus on selling players, and are definitely considering letting go of a fair few players in an attempt to raise money through sales without compromising on the squad quality.