Barcelona chiefs have three transfer priorities for summer window

Posted Thursday, March 26, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Barcelona chiefs have three transfer priorities for summer window
Barcelona news: Barca want to bring Neymar back to the Nou Camp (Image: GETTY)

Barcelona are keen to have a busy transfer window at the end of the season.

Barcelona have three priorities heading into the summer transfer window, claims Spanish football expert Guillem Balague. Barca want to re-sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, three years after selling the Brazilian for a world-record transfer fee of around £200million. But first the La Liga giants will have to raise funds to facilitate a deal for Neymar.

So Balague says a second priority for Barca will be to sell one of their big-name players.

Antoine Griezmann, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele all cost Barca fees north of £100m and have been linked with moves away from the club.

Balague claims Barca then want to strengthen in all three areas of the pitch - namely the centre of defence, midfield and up front.

Full-back is an area they will look at improving if they still have funds available.

"They're actually trying to renew [Nelson] Semedo's contract," Balague said on his YouTube channel.

"Yes, Jordi Alba's one of those players that's reaching his peak.

"I still think he has been injured a lot this season and that has been a problem for him.

"But the plan will still be to have him as No 1 [left-back]. I don't think they're convinced about Junior [Firpo].

"In terms of full-backs, yes they would like, if they had money, they would like to get a strong one.

"Emerson, who's at Betis on loan from Barcelona, may return but is a right-back.

"So the idea is yes to get perhaps another left-back.

"But the priority really is to convince Neymar, sell one of the big stars, and get a player per position.

"They've got with [Francisco] Trincao a winger, they want a midfielder, they want a centre-back and perhaps a full-back as well, and a centre-forward.

"Luis Suarez will be fit for when the league restarts but they need a replacement as well."

Balague says Barca have made Griezmann available for sale after the Frenchman has scored just eight goals in 26 La Liga outings in his first season at the club.

"They're showing him the door for him to go and move on," he added.

"Every possibility is available, as well.

"What that means generally is that the club is saying 'he's for sale'.

"Then we will have to see what happens, I think what's quite clear is that the market has been transformed.

"There won't be much money being spent in the next market.

"So, will Barcelona really want to lose on a player that they still haven't got enough back from?

"Not in terms of performances or money, either, but the door is open."