Even though the 2023/24 campaign is still very much in its early stages, plans for the next season are already underway at FC Barcelona.
The Catalan heavyweights did well to strengthen their squad during the summer transfer window despite being plagued by financial problems and plans are already being formulated for the summer of 2024.
Indeed, as per Sam Marsden and Moi Llorens of ESPN, Barcelona are on the lookout for a new defensive midfielder as well as two full-backs with an eye on the next season.
A new midfielder is needed
Barcelona lost Sergio Busquets this past summer and brought in Oriol Romeu to replace the former captain and club legend.
However, Romeu is already 32 and is not a long-term solution by any means. Furthermore, there is no other natural backup for the Spanish international in the squad as well.
And, as such, the sporting department is already on the lookout for options to reinforce the position in the summer and a number of options have been identified.
Names such as Jorginho (Arsenal), Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool), and Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis) are on the table while Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) also remains on the agenda.
A new right-back and left-back
The report further states that Barcelona will also try to sign a new full-back on both the right and left sides.
At the moment, Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde are the first-choice full-backs for Xavi, but the backups, Sergi Roberto and Marcos Alonso, have not entirely been convincing always.
Furthermore, both Roberto and Alonso are out of contract at the end of the season and as such, it is now a priority to strengthen both positions in the summer.
It must also be remembered that Cancelo’s loan spell also comes to an end at the end of the season. Irrespective of whether he is brought in on a permanent basis, the idea is to sign another right-back and a left-back.
Juan Foyth of Villarreal continues to remain on the agenda, although his release clause makes him a difficult target.
