Barcelona strengthened their attack with the arrivals of Adama Traore, Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and they are now pushing to clinch a top-four spot to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Here comes a look at what Barcelona must do position by position
January signings have given Barcelona a much-needed boost, as the Blaugrana have improved on the pitch in their last few games under coach Xavi Hernandez. Barcelona strengthened their attack with the arrivals of Adama Traore, Ferran Torres and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and they are now pushing to clinch a top-four spot to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League. However, at the club, they are aware that they will need to further beef up their squad in the summer ahead of the 2022/23 campaign in their bid to return to the top of European football. Here comes a look at what Barcelona must do position by position. Marc-Andre ter Stegen will stay put despite having experienced a drop in form this season. However, this is Barcelona’s last opportunity to cash in on Neto, whose contract ends in the summer of 2023.
The Catalans will try to offload Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet
Barcelona will need to find a replacement if they part ways with Neto. His potential departure could see Inaki Pena return from Galatasaray to become Xavi’s second-choice goalkeeper. Barcelona will try to sign a left-back who can compete with Jordi Alba for a starting spot. The club will assess whether they will extend the contract of Dani Alves for another year, but they are expected to strengthen that position even if Sergino Dest stays. The Catalans will try to offload Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet, but they will bring in one centre-back or maybe more, depending on what Gerard Pique decides to do at the end of the season. Barcelona are already trying to sign Andreas Christensen, whose contract with Chelsea comes to an end in June, and they have also set sights on the Blues’ captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
Riqui Puig could depart Barcelona in the summer, while Franck Kessie could join on a free transfer from AC Milan. Barcelona boast a handful of quality midfielders for the time being. Erling Haaland is Barcelona’s primary transfer target, but several European clubs are also interested in signing the Borussia Dortmund striker in the summer. Meanwhile, Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong are expected to depart Barcelona, who need to decide whether they will make Traore’s deal permanent. It also remains to be seen whether Ousmane Dembele will leave the club on a free transfer in July.