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BARCELONA

Barcelona's Luis Enrique to hand over to Valverde at Camp Nou

Ernesto Valverde is expected to take over from Luis Enrique and Barça need a facelift: a natural right back, a centre half and some fresh ideas in midfield.
Barcelona vs Deportivo La Coruña: LaLiga

BarcelonaUpdate:
Barcelona's Luis Enrique to hand over to Valverde at Camp Nou
SUSANA VERA REUTERS

Barring any unexpected changes of heart, Barcelona will confirm on Monday that Ernseto Valverde is to take over the reins at Camp Nou from Luis Enrique, who departs after the Copa victory on Saturday having won nine of the 13 trophies available during his three-year tenure.

That underlines the task that Valverde will face to regenerate a side that has become overly dependent on Leo Messi and needs refreshing in several departments.

Barcelona overhaul

Between the sticks it is unlikely Barcelona will make any changes. Marc-André Ter Stegen is in talks over a contract extension and Jasper Cillessen’s place is guaranteed as back-up to the German. Joel Masip is out of contract and will be moved on.

In defence, Barça will try and offload Jérémy Mathieu, who is wanted by Marseille, but the club’s priority will be to sign a dedicated right back so that Sergi Roberto, who has filled in there admirably this season, can return to his natural midfield position. Arsenal’s Héctor Bellerín, who was at La Masia as a youth, tops Barça’s wish list.

With Javier Mascherano now 33 and Mathieu heading for the exit door the Camp Nou board will also be keen to sign an experienced central defender to act as back-up to Gerard Piqué and Samuel Umtiti. Barça had tried to tempt David Alaba from Bayern Munich but as the Austria international has expressed his desire to play more in midfield that seems to be a closed door.

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FERNANDO ZUERASDIARIO AS

Jordi Alba future unclear

Lucas Digne wants to stay at Camp Nou but the club will listen to offers for the France left back while Jordi Alba’s future remains unclear. The Spain international was linked with a move to Atlético as part of a deal for Theo Hernández but the on-loan Alavés sensation eventually elected to move to Real Madrid. However, he has ended the season well and it will fall to Valverde to decide if he fits the system he wants to install.

Midfield is the area where Barça need the most sprucing up. Ivan Rakitic has extended his contract and Andrés Iniesta will remain for another season at least but an injection of fresh impetus is needed with Valverde an admirer of former Athletic midfielder Ander Herrera, who can play in any of the midfield positions and has improved in his defensive game under José Mourinho. However, Manchester United are to offer him an extension.

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JAVIER GANDULDIARIO AS

Verratti likely to stay at PSG

Marco Verratti is the other desired target but PSG will not sell cheaply and the Italy midfielder has consistently stated he wants to stay in Paris and win the Champions League with the Ligue 1 side.

Arda Turan will be offloaded along with André Gomes, who may prove to be a useful makeweight in any deals this summer. If offers come in for Rafinha and Denis Suárez they will be heard.

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MariscalEFE

Messi, Neymar, Suárez going nowhere

The front line of settled and little will affect that arrangement in the medium term. Gerard Deulofeu has impressed at Everton and Barça have a 12-million-euro buy-back option but as is often the case the player has little desire to return to his alma mater and face an impossible fight to usurp Neymar, Luis Suárez or Leo Messi.

Other names that have been mentioned are Vitolo and Philippe Coutinho but neither are pure midfielders and if they are signed to beef up the attacking slots they too will find the amount of playing time they get won’t justify making the flight. Paco Alcácer has left a decent impression but eight goals is not a good return on 30 million euros and with Barça needing to raise funds in order to buy the former Valencia captain could be on his way after just one season.

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MariscalEFE

La Masia

Neither is there much coming through at La Masia to swell the first team ranks. Carles Aleñà, the brightest prospect who has spent some time with the first team this season, may be used between the first team and Barça B while Marlon Santos has featured for the first team this season and could also be eased into a role in the centre of defence.

Barça squad situation ahead of 2017-18:

Staying: Ter Stegen, Cillessen, Piqué, Umtiti, Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Messi, Neymar, Suárez, Mascherano and Iniesta.

In the case of the latter two, in view of their age and service, if they decide to seek pastures new the club will not stand in their way, but it will be the player’s decisión.

Offers will be considered: Jordi Alba, Digne, Aleix Vidal, André Gomes, Rakitic, Rafinha, Denis Suárez, Alcácer.

On the market: Arda, Mathieu.

Out of contract and won’t be renewed: Masip

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