Barcelona are eyeing a central defender, a full-back and a left winger this summer time as they try and go one step additional within the Champions League subsequent season, sources have informed ESPN.
Barça want two factors from their last video games to win LaLiga and full a home treble, however they got here up brief within the Champions League, shedding to Inter Milan within the semifinal final week.
There stays uncertainty about how a lot enterprise the membership will do within the off season on account of continued monetary restrictions, however sources say there may be an expectation some gamers will depart to allow funding elsewhere.
Sporting director Deco and his group have drawn up a number of plans for every place relying on the sum of money which is offered this summer time.
Sources mentioned the state of affairs is fluid and there aren’t any agency candidates for any of the roles but, with earlier targets corresponding to Marcus Rashford, Nico Williams and Luis Díaz not dominated out.
Talking to ESPN this week, Deco confirmed Barça may look to signal a winger this summer time, saying that there had instantly turn into a dependency on Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
Barça had been eager on Manchester United ahead Rashford in January, earlier than his mortgage to Aston Villa, whereas the Catalan membership explored a transfer for Athletic Membership’s Williams final yr.
Liverpool’s Díaz can be a participant who Barça have adopted for some time, though latest stories counsel the Colombia worldwide may signal a brand new take care of the Premier League membership.
In defence, Barça had been in talks with Jonathan Tah, who’s leaving Bayer Leverkusen when his contract expires subsequent month, however they’ve taken a step again in latest months, with Bayern Munich anticipated to signal the German worldwide.
Barça are at the moment effectively stocked at centre-back, with Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen and Eric García all choices, however a supply informed ESPN exits are anticipated, which is why one other defender is needed.
In the meantime, Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde have performed effectively within the full-back positions this season, however Barça are conscious it is an space the place they’ve a scarcity of depth.
ESPN have beforehand revealed that Almería’s Marc Pubill and Rayo Vallecano’s Andrei Rațiu have been tracked.
Barça will step up their planning for the summer time as soon as they wrap up the LaLiga title, which may come as early as Wednesday if Actual Madrid drop factors towards Mallorca.
Failing that, Hansi Flick’s facet can have the prospect to win the league on Thursday by profitable away at metropolis rivals Espanyol.
When Barça final received the league, underneath Xavi Hernández in 2023, additionally they did so at Espanyol, prompting indignant house supporters to storm the pitch and minimize brief the Barça gamers’ celebrations.
Flick insists he isn’t desirous about a repeat of that state of affairs, firstly saying that the job is just not but performed after which that they’ll “do the correct factor” in the event that they as soon as once more discover themselves celebrating within the house of their neighbours.
“In fact I do know what occurred final time, I noticed it on the tv,” Flick mentioned in a information convention on Wednesday.
“For me, it has to do with respect. Initially, we’ve to combat for the three factors. I feel then we’ll do the correct factor.
“It is a derby, Espanyol did a superb job within the second a part of the season. They’ve a transparent type how they wish to play.
“For us, it is essential we present we’re targeted. It have to be clear from the start that we wish to win three factors.”
