Barcelona are undergoing significant changes within their squad as boss Xavi Hernandez eyes a new-look XI ahead of the new campaign.
Barca did not extend the short-term contract of Dani Alves even though the veteran right-back was hoping to stay at the club while Clement Lenglet has joined Tottenham on a season-long loan deal. Philippe Coutinho has joined Aston Villa in a permanent deal while Adama Traore and Luuk de Jong have both finalised their loan spells at Camp Nou.
Furthermore, the Catalan club have agreed a £56.2million upfront fee with Manchester United for the transfer of midfielder Frenkie de Jong, while five other players will be excluded from their pre-season tour ahead of expected sales.
Barca have already confirmed two summer arrivals into their first-team squad as Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie – two deals that have been in place since March – have joined the club as free agents from Chelsea and Milan respectively.
Having already signed one defender from the Blues, they are hopeful of raiding Stamford Bridge for defensive duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso. Both players have been earmarked by Xavi to form part of his new-look defence, while they are also hopeful of beating Chelsea to the signature of in-demand Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.
As outlined by Diario Sport, Barca are hopeful of continuing to rejuvenate their attack following the January signings of Ferran Torres from Manchester City and the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal. It follows a report from Sport outlining Manchester City star’s Bernardo Silva’s desire to move to the Catalan club.
Barca are also edging towards a deal to sign winger Raphinha from Leeds while Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski remains a primary target for the club. Those rumours prompted Barca boss Xavi to address the transfer rumours directly about the forward, who bagged a remarkable 50 goals this term and has surpassed the 40-goal landmark in seven successive seasons.
Of course, not all of these deals will be possible due to the nature of the transfer market and Barca’s own financial issues. However, it is clear that Xavi has huge plans for the club for this summer and beyond as he continues to revolutionise their starting line-up.
Xavi’s potential new Barcelona XI : Ter Stegen; Azpilicueta, Kounde, Christensen, Alonso; Gavi, Pedri, Kessie; Silva, Lewandowski, Raphinha