BARCELONA
Which players might Barcelona sign in the summer? Sofyan Amrabat highlighted as the replacement for Sergio Busquets
Amrabat was very close to joining in January and it appears that Barcelona will go again for the player, but there are more options on the table.
Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has been chosen by the coaches at FC Barcelona to strengthen the pivot position for next season, regardless of the future of Sergio Busquets. The Fiorentina player was already very close to joining in January, but the Italian club’s stubbornness in not letting their player go caused the operation to fall through.
However, AS has been told that Barcelona will return to their target this summer, with the intention of getting a reasonable price for the midfielder, especially considering that his contract ends in 2024. Given the favourable contractual situation of the player, the club are confident that they can bring in the Moroccan international for a reasonable price. They are also expecting Amrabat to help force the move after showing in January that he was willing to go to any lengths to sign for Barcelona.
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Xavi and his team like Amrabat’s qualities
The coaches are keen on not only Amrabat’s defensive strength, but also his potential with the ball at his feet and his ability to link the play. The Moroccan could be a perfect counterbalance on the pitch to Frenkie de Jong, a talented footballer who drives from the middle of the pitch.
Were the move to happen, it would not close the doors to Sergio Busquets. Xavi has already said, both actively and passively, that he considers the captain a key player on his squad list and that he hopes to convince Busquets to stay for at least one more year.
Who are the midfield options for Barça in the summer?
One player who has finally been ruled out is Martín Zubimendi. The Real Sociedad midfielder has been linked with a move to Arsenal to play for Arteta and an offer is reportedly on the table from the Premier League club.
Another player on the agenda to fill the defensive midfield void should the Amrabat deal not materialise is Betis’ Argentinian midfielder, Guido Rodríguez. With a contract until 2024, his departure could also take place at a reduced price, taking into account that he only has one year left. The coaches at Camp Nou also like the international midfielder and consider him a player who could adapt perfectly to the blaugrana team neccesities.
LaLiga Santander 2022/2023
| Classification | PTS | WM | TM | LM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Barcelona | 82 | 26 | 4 | 3 |
| 2Atlético | 69 | 21 | 6 | 6 |
| 3Real Madrid | 68 | 21 | 5 | 7 |
| Upcoming matches | |
|---|---|
| Espanyol - Barcelona | S-14/05 15:00 |
| Barcelona - R. Sociedad | S-21/05 12:00 |
| Real Valladolid - Barcelona | W-24/05 12:00 |
*Data updated to date May 4th, 2023