With the January transfer window unlikely to be very fruitful for Barcelona due to their Financial Fair Play problems, plans are already underway to ensure that they make the most of the summer transfer window of next year.
Heading into the winter, Xavi Hernandez & co. had identified the right-back slot as a priority. But with new signings unlikely to be made, the plan to reinforce the position will move to the summer of 2023, reports Javi Miguel of AS.
Along with a right-back, Barça plan to make another major signing next summer in the form of Martin Zubimendi, who will be roped in as a replacement for captain Sergio Busquets.
Apart from those two major deals, the Blaugrana will focus on bringing back loanees Ez Abde and Nico Gonzalez and incorporating them in the first-team plans under Xavi, following their stints with CA Osasuna and Valencia, respectively.
As iterated earlier, a new right-back is seen as a priority at Spotify Camp Nou given the underperformances of Hector Bellerin. Considering that both Bellerin and Sergi Roberto are out of contract in the summer, it only makes sense for the club to reinforce the position.
As for Zubimendi, he has been earmarked as the ideal replacement for Busquets by Xavi. The Real Sociedad ace will cost €60 million – the amount of his release clause.
However, at the same time, efforts are also being made to retain the club captain beyond this season, at least up until December 2023.
As for Abde, reports had suggested that the Catalans could look to offload him permanently if offers in excess of €20 million arrived. But, considering that Memphis Depay will be leaving in the summer, retaining the young winger would make sense so as to maintain depth in the squad.
The same applies for Nico as well, who would add more quality and depth in the centre of the park, especially in case Busquets ends up departing.
As things stand, those are the plans for the summer of 2023 according to Javi Miguel. But, other outlets continue to report that Barcelona will make a play to re-sign Lionel Messi as well. So, it remains to be seen how the Catalans’ summer window takes shape next year.