As the summer transfer window approaches, Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has identified the acquisition of a high-caliber pivot midfielder as a paramount objective.
The pivot midfield role has emerged as an area of concern for Barcelona in the current season, particularly following the departure of Sergio Busquets last summer. While Oriol Romeu was recruited as a potential solution, his performance has fallen short of expectations, leading Xavi to experiment with alternatives such as Andreas Christensen and Ilkay Gundogan.
Deco is now tasked with securing a permanent resolution to this issue, with Ferran Correas of SPORT indicating that he has compiled a shortlist of four prospective candidates for the pivot midfield position.
Amadou Onana (Everton)
The midfielder from Everton and Belgium is highly favored as a potential addition to FC Barcelona. Known for his physical prowess and aerial abilities, he demonstrates adept positional play, despite his young age of 22, promising a prosperous career trajectory.
Deco has initiated inquiries regarding a potential transfer, albeit Everton’s steep €60 million valuation poses a hurdle for Barcelona.
Nevertheless, the club’s management is attentively monitoring both the Belgian midfielder and Everton, contemplating a potential reduction in transfer demands should the latter face relegation from the Premier League.
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Barcelona has been monitoring the progress of Joshua Kimmich, a player affiliated with Bayern Munich, for a considerable duration. There is speculation that Kimmich may seek a transfer from Bayern Munich during the upcoming summer transfer window due to a deterioration in his relationship with the club, compounded by the fact that his contract is set to expire in 2025.
Reports suggest that Bayern Munich is open to parting ways with the 29-year-old midfielder in the summer, provided that a suitable offer is presented. While this development may be favorable for Barcelona, potential obstacles loom, notably concerning the transfer fee and salary demands associated with Kimmich, alongside stiff competition from various prominent Premier League clubs.
Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord)
The Barcelona management has expressed interest in signing Mats Wieffer from Feyenoord, following his impressive performances for the Dutch club. Discussions have been initiated by Deco, who has engaged with former Barcelona player and ex-Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst to gain insights into the 24-year-old midfielder’s playing style and capabilities, particularly his adept positional sense and ball distribution skills. Wieffer presents an attractive prospect due to his expected lower transfer cost compared to other potential targets such as Onana or Kimmich, with an estimated fee of €25 million deemed sufficient for his acquisition.
Aleix Garcia (Girona)
The concluding entry on the roster bears significant local significance, featuring Aleix Garcia of Girona. Barcelona holds the midfielder in high regard, recognizing his notable performances for their Catalan counterparts throughout the current season, attributing to his caliber and adaptability.
Despite Garcia’s predominant role as an interior midfielder, Barcelona’s management maintains confidence in his ability to transition effectively into a pivot position despite being 26 years old.
Moreover, Garcia’s contractual arrangement includes a release clause set at a modest €15 million, rendering him the most financially viable target for Barcelona. Additionally, the Catalans may explore the possibility of including players from their own squad as part of the negotiation.