New Delhi: Barcelona’s top goal for the summer transfer window was very clear a few months back and that was to acquire a quality midfield player to address one of the obvious shortcomings in the starting lineup. The rumor mill then quickly produced a litany of names, including, to mention a few, Guido Rodriguez, Joshua Kimmich, Amadou Onana, Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi. Fast forward a few months, it appears like everything was forgotten and their hunt for a top quality midfielder just stopped.
The club’s top target right now is Nico Williams, with Dani Olmo appearing to be the backup plan. It’s unclear exactly where or why the priorities shifted. It is anticipated that Zubimendi will cost approximately €60 million, Amadou Onana was amongst Barca’s top targets but he joined Villa, and Mikel Merino will cost any team at least €25 million. However, there were also some unrestricted transfers available. After his contract with Betis expired, Rodriguez bid adieu to the team, and Adrien Rabiot left Juventus to pursue other opportunities.
Barca expecting La Masia to step up yet again?
Barcelona’s Spanish forward #27 Lamine Yamal (2n L) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on March 8, 2024. (Photo – AFP)
Are Barcelona expecting La Masia will step in once more after witnessing Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal light up the starting XI the previous season? Barca would be asking for a lot if they were to depend on youth in such an important role. However, given the caliber of talent that has been coming out of the academy lately, perhaps it isn’t such a horrible idea after all. Effectively, Marc Casado has already received a promotion, and Marc Bernal is not far behind. Both have already begun training under new manager Hansi Flick, who has already acknowledged that the youth he has been working with have amazed him.
One player that is not to be overlooked is Oriol Romeu. Even though he had a rather dismal first season back at the club, he had appeared certain to go, but it appears that Flick is prepared to give him another shot. Maybe next season, Andreas Christensen will return to the midfield.
When Barcelona plays their first preseason friendlies in the US over the next two weeks, we will definitely gain more insight into Flick’s thinking. It’s possible that Barca decides not to sign a midfield player after months of rumors since money is limited and priorities have changed.
It looks less likely that FC Barcelona might re-think of bringing in a top class midfielder after the Nico Williams chase. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
