Barcelona Transfer Digest: The latest rumours from this week
The key to defending a title is a well-orchestrated pre-season and a telling transfer window. Four years out of contention, muddled with off-field controversies, disheartening Champions League runs and maladjusted managers, the Blaugrana finally clinched their 27th La Liga trophy.
It’s also the first time they’ve won the domestic league following Lionel Messi’s exit.
Xavi’s methodical football will return to the Champions League, and because of that, they’ll likely draw significant attention from the European market.
It’s understood there’s plenty going on behind the scenes as the club begins to plan for next season with their transfer targets. Putting aside their off field drama, we dive into the latest round of rumours surrounding Barcelona following their title-winning curtain call.
#1 Lionel Messi to Barcelona in the balance
“Keep it a secret, but when I told him about Barcelona, his eyes lit up. And it’s not surprising; after all, he grew up there, he has a house here that he visits often. Barcelona is his home,” Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona’s top scorer this season with 29 goals, purred when asked about Messi’s return.
The World Cup winner’s desire to leave Paris Saint-Germain is public knowledge. But where and when he’ll take the next step of his career is shrouded by mystery at the moment.
As per El Chiringuito, Messi is set to accept a whopping €350 million offer from Al-Hilal, to whom also the likes of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets are linked. And according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the La Liga champions are set to give it the full throttle to capture Messi and hand him the captain’s armband.
Club president Joan Laporta has exclaimed he will do everything in his power to facilitate a return for the 35-year-old, however, Xavi is unsure as revealed in his press conference last week:
“It’s up in the air. It depends on many things. There is not much more I can say. Leo is a spectacular footballer. He is a friend. From there, it depends on many things, but above all on his intentions and what he wants.”
The saga will roll on for now, but it’s also important to note Inter Miami are keen on signing the football superstar as well.
#2 Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets put a full stop on their Barcelona careers
Messi’s return promises mind-bending reactions and euphoria, however, Barcelona are now having to restart life without three of their greats – Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
The former announced his retirement earlier in November, following the club’s sweet 2-0 victory against Almeria.
And now, Busquets will leave the team as well, ending an 18-year long, unforgettable association with his boyhood club. A genius of rare breed, the midfielder was the nucleus to Barcelona’s free-flowing footballing principles and enervating passing.
The 34-year-old stated “The time has come to announce that this will be my last season with Barca. It has been an unforgettable journey. I always dreamed of playing with this shirt and at this stadium and reality has exceeded all my dreams.”
The video released on the team’s social media handles further added “I wouldn’t have believed it if you had told me when I arrived as a youth player that I would play 15 seasons at the best club in the world and surpass 700 matches. It has been an honour, a dream, a source of pride and meant everything to defend and represent this badge for so many years. Although it has not been an easy decision, I think the time has come.”
The same goes for Jordi Alba – one of the finest left-backs across generations – who decided to leave the club after 11 years.
Alba has played second fiddle to teenager Alejandro Balde this season, and perhaps, it was time for the two parties to move on. Both Alba and Busquets made over a whopping 1,100 appearances for Barcelona.
#3 Barcelona in advanced talks with Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan
Relevo’s Matteo Moretto believes Barcelona are monitoring Ilkay Gundogan’s situation at Manchester City, and are, in fact, in advanced talks with the 32-year-old.
Perhaps, Gundogan could fill in as a number six or a mobile midfielder, as seen latently under Pep Guardiola, during City’s sensational unbeaten run.
Gundogan has spent the best years of his career, in total seven, at the Etihad Stadium, notching a tick over 300 appearances, scoring 58 goals, and captaining the side to their fifth Premier League title in six years.
While the Cityzens are determined to offer Gundogan a fresh two-year contract, Arsenal are lining up a bid after snapping up Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinhenko from the champions at the start of the season.
Gundogan’s future is an interesting story to keep an eye on. Ultimately it would depend on the conditions of a deal if it were to arrive, or how rapidly and desperately Manchester City move towards convincing him.
#4 Jules Kounde confirms he’s staying at Barcelona amid rumours
Eyebrows have been raised towards the backend of the season, as Jules Kounde was promised game time at center-back upon arrival from Sevilla.
Diario Sport report the same, claiming that Inigo Martinez’s imminent arrival from Athletic Club would further dent the Frenchman’s opportunities at the middle of the back line. On May 25th, though, Kounde effectively shunted the speculation and confirmed that neither has he ever requested a move away from the Nou Camp, nor will he leave Barcelona.
Kounde, a long-term favorite of Premier League club Chelsea, chose to sign for the Blaugrana and was pivotal as a full-back in their brilliant defensive run, amassing 38 appearances in all competitions.
#5 Angel Di Maria tipped for a move to Barcelona
Barcelona has emerged as a possible destination for Angel Di Maria, who is aging like a fine wine.
The winger, who joined Juventus from Paris Saint-Germain in 2022, has netted eight goals this season. The world stood witness to the barnstorming performances of Di Maria in the World Cup, suggesting the 35-year-old still has a couple of years at the top level left in him.
It’s believed that Barcelona have been following Di Maria closely over the years, and matters could elevate if his compatriot Messi returns to the La Liga.
Di Maria would add experience, guile, and big-match expertise to any club he joins. The prospect of UCL football would be intriguing as well.
All in all, it is undoubtedly going to be a busy transfer window ahead for Barcelona.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Jeroen Bennink. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.