avi Hernandez has revealed the signings he wants at Barcelona during the summer transfer window after seeing club legend Lionel Messi refuse to return to Camp Nou in favor of a move to MLS side Inter Miami.
The Barcelona coach told Movistar that two midfielders are at the top of his shopping list this summer, as reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
“I need two signings in midfield. I lacked inner work and with Busquets’ departure we also needed a pillar,” he explained. “This has to be a priority.”
Captain Sergio Busquets has left the club after an illustrious career where he won every major trophy during his 18 years with the Catalan giants. Finding a replacement for such an iconic character will not be easy.
Busquets gave the club some advice on potential replacements in an interview with RAC1. The midfielder highlighted Manchester City’s Rodri, Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich, and Martin Zubimendi as possible options.
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Will Ilkay Gundogan join Barcelona?
Barcelona’s financial situation will complicate the search for the club’s midfielders this summer and could see the club considering free agents. Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has emerged as a target, reports Diario AS, and is nearing the end of his current contract.
Gundogan’s agent has given an update on his future and gives Barcelona hope they can land the German. Ilhan Gundogan told Roman o that his brother has yet to agree to stay at City and has not made a final decision on his future.
“Nothing has been agreed with City or any other club,” he said. “Recent reports are not true. Ilkay is only focused on the final.”
Gundogan will play his final game of the season on Saturday, June 10 against Inter in the Champions League final and is then expected to make a decision on where he will play next season.
Sofyan Amrabat wants to move to Barcelona
Barcelona has also been linked with a move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. His brother Nordin has admitted the Morocco international “really wants” to join the club during the winter transfer window, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Nordin Amrabat has now spoken to ESPN about his brother’s future and admitted he wants to move to Spain but isn’t sure if a move to Barcelona is possible, Romano reports.
“He wants to reach the top and his wish is to play in Spain,” he said. “At Barcelona, he is high on the list but you know the financial situation of Barça. There are more clubs interested in Sofia.”
Xavi and Barcelona are currently facing a difficult transfer window and suffered a blow when Messi decided to join MLS and Inter Miami. The Barcelona manager has made his transfer plans clear to the club but it remains to be seen whether the club can fulfill his wishes.