FC Barcelona plan to make three or four signings to strengthen their squad ahead of next season, according to a report from SPORT.
Head coach Xavi Hernandez marked two years in the hotseat on Monday, and has been a success in returning the Catalans to winning ways on a restricted budget.
Granted there were expensive incoming transfers in the summer of 2022 thanks to president Joan Laporta pulling a series of ‘economic levers’, but the former midfielder has mostly had to build a competitive squad with a series of free transfers, low-budget purchases, and loanees.
At a pre-match press conference at the turn of the week, Xavi stated the belief that he and his staff are doing a good job in charge of one of the world’s most demanding clubs.
Barca lifted their maiden La Liga crown in four years in the spring, and are currently third in La Liga while topping their Champions League group – not too bad considering the crippling debts that the Blaugrana have to wade through.
Still things – and especially a football team – can always be improved, and sporting director Deco is already making plans for next season according to SPORT.
The Catalan newspaper writes that Barca want to make at least three signings, with the first of the two coming at left and right back irrespective of whether Joao Cancelo’s loan assignment from Manchester City is made permanent after June 30.
The Portuguese is capable of playing on either flank but most commonly features on the right.
Across the pitch, La Masia star Alejandro Balde is the most popular choice but needs back up with Marcos Alonso likely leaving at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Barca want another pivot amid Oriol Romeu’s struggles. Corinthians teenager Gabriel Moscardo is the preferred choice, but the club would unlikely be able to match other interested parties such as Chelsea in a bidding war.
A fourth acquisition could be made for the left wing. Akin to Cancelo, it is unclear whether his compatriot Joao Felix can stay beyond his loan spell with Barca looking at paying a difficult to raise $85.5 million (€80 million) to relieve Atletico Madrid of his services full time.
Free transfers will be prioritised above all, and those already in-house on the verge of graduating from the youth academy could also be given preference by fellow graduate Xavi.
