Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona are set to begin their preparation for the pre-season matches this Monday (4th July). Here we are talking about the present condition of the Barca squad for the new season.
The Catalan club Barcelona has recently faced huge financial troubles. In this tough period, while Barca were struggling first half of the last season, Xavi’s incredible return to the club as a new manager massively helped them to work on the regrowth structure of the team.
In the last season, the five-time UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona had an early exit from UCL from Group Stage but reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. Meanwhile, the Copa del Rey’s Round of 16 sides and Supercopa de Espana’s semifinalists Barcelona, the 26-time La Liga champions, finished as the runners-up in the last La Liga season.
Barcelona’s present condition
Confirmed exits
While the young Spanish forward Ferran Jutgla has left the club for Belgian side Club Brugge, Brazilian right-back Dani Alves and French forward Ousmane Dembele’s contracts have just been ended.
Confirmed signings
On the other hand, after the 19-year-old Spanish midfielder Pablo Torre joined the club from Racing de Santander, Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie and Danish centre-back Andreas Christensen have just confirmed their signings for the Catalan club as free agents.
Goalkeepers
German goalie Marc-Andre ter Stegen is undoubtedly their main goalkeeper for the new season, while the Brazilian Neto has reportedly joined the club for the pre-season. The young Spanish goalie Inaki Pena just returned from loan, while younger Spanish Barcelona B gloveman Arnau Tenas is also ready for service.
Defenders
Centre-backs Samuel Umtiti, Oscar Mingueza and Clement Lenglet are likely to leave the Spanish club. So, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and the new joinee Andreas Christensen are the centre-backs for the senior Barca team.
In the meantime, Jordi Alba and Alejandro Balde are available for the left-back option, and Sergino Dest and Moussa Wague are ready as the right-backs.
Midfielders
Currently, Barcelona have the midfielders like Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Kessie, De Jong, Gavi, Pedri, Nico Gonzalez, Riqui Puig, Sergi Roberto and Alex Collado along with the loan-returnee Miralem Pjanic.
However, the Spanish club is majorly concerned about Frenkie de Jong and Miralem Pjanic as some top clubs are seriously targeting them.
Forwards
FC Barcelona currently have the forwards like Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Memphis Depay and Rey Manaj.
At present, we are not putting the names of Martin Braithwaite and Francisco Trincao as they are reportedly highly considered for the transfers this summer. If they stay in the team, Xavi can get more options in the forward apart from any near future signings.
Barcelona’s major targets
Talking about Barcelona’s target for the new signings, the club is desperate for Robert Lewandowski, while they are still hopeful for a new contract with Ousmane Dembele.
