Barcelona, the name strikes fear into most club’s fans when they come knocking on the door of their respective clubs for their star players. Just ask, Liverpool, Arsenal, and United fans, all of which have lost star players to the Catalan club over the years. But with the club now finding itself financially constricted, they may have to be a bit more creative in this summer's transfer market. Here are potentially the top transfer targets for Barcelona.
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Ivan Fresneda – Real Valladolid
At this point in the summer transfer period, and given the state of Barcelona's financial situation, they will not be making any huge plays over the coming week. Therefore, this leaves just a couple of doors open in relation to potential Barcelona transfer targets. And this is precisely why Ivan Fresneda is now linked with a possible move to Barcelona. This 18-year-old currently plays as a right-back for Real Valladolid, although he is attracting interest from all kinds of top European clubs at the moment. This includes clubs like Sporting CP and Chelsea, and at the minute, Barcelona is not the front-runner.
However, Ivan Fresneda is most certainly on the shortlist of Barcelona transfer targets, but they will need to act quickly and decisively if they are to beat Sporting CP (the current race leaders) to the chase. As for his estimated market value which is in the region of €10 – €15 million right now, this would still work with Barcelona’s budget. Yet it remains to be seen whether Barcelona will swoop in and sway the Spanish player to choose La Liga over Liga Portugal.
Bradley Barcola – Olympique Lyonnais
Ever since the summer transfer period began, Bradley Barcola has been on the radar for many high-profile clubs in Europe. Currently, he plays in Ligue 1 for Lyon, but he is now eyeing a move to a bigger and more prestigious club. Of course, Barcelona is a club that fits this description, and they are also on the prowl for young players like him to join their ranks. Furthermore, if you look at some of the other Barcelona transfer targets, it's clear that Bradley Barcola will fit in nicely as part of a long-term rebuild for the club.
The 20-year-old winger has all of the right attributes that Barcelona will need to become power-houses of European football once again. He is incredibly quick, precise in front of goal, and he has plenty of potential too. So if Barcelona were to sign Bradley Barcola on a long-term deal, it is clear that he could then become a pivotal part of the future at this club. With that said, there is strong interest coming from PSG right now for Barcola, so if they are to get such a deal done, they will need to come up with something special.
Giovani Lo Celso – Tottenham
There has been a bit of an ongoing saga between Giovani Lo Celso, Tottenham, and Barcelona over the last few weeks. This 27-year-old Argentinian international has been on loan from Tottenham for the last two seasons, suggesting that he isn’t right for the Premier League squad right now. And based on that, combined with the fact that Lo Celso is still a great attacking midfielder, Barcelona chose to open up talks with Tottenham to complete a transfer. Recently, after approaching Tottenham to buy Giovani Lo Celso, the offer was pretty much instantly knocked back.
But with Tottenham loaning Lo Celso out for the last two seasons, and with a possible swap deal being floated since the rejection, I can see this move being completed one way or another.
Joao Felix – Atletico Madrid
Joao Felix is officially on the radar of Barcelona according to media reports that have come through in recent days/weeks. It is now public knowledge that Felix is looking for an out before the summer is over, and Atletico Madrid is willing to let him go – for a hefty price! After all, he is a versatile forward, yet he can also be put on the wing if necessary. In both roles, Felix is a magnificent player, and he could be just what Barcelona needs for the upcoming 23/24 season.
Yet while he is one of the Barcelona transfer targets right now, there is strong competition from clubs like Aston Villa as well as clubs in the Saudi Pro League. On that note, while nothing is official, Felix supposedly has an offer from Al Hilal for somewhere in the region of €126 million. But if that’s the case, the common assumption is that Joao Felix is holding out for an official offer from Barcelona.
Therefore, given the amount of money involved in the Al Hilal deal, it seems like Joao Felix really wants to be a Barcelona man, and the feeling looks mutual.
Gabri Veiga – Celta Vigo
It’s no great secret that Barcelona are looking to sign younger players at the moment. This is all part of their vision of a future team that is pretty much unstoppable both domestically and in Europe. With that in mind, the rumours that Gabri Veiga is now one of Barcelona’s prime transfer targets would make sense. Adding to that, Celta Vigo has already rejected several approaches for the 21-year-old midfielder this summer. As for specifics of these refusals, Veiga has a €40 million release clause in his contract, which has no doubt altered interests from other clubs already.
Despite this, clubs like Napoli are still throwing out lowball offers for Gabri Veiga. And while these offers will likely be rejected, it shows that Barcelona are facing stiff competition to sign Veiga. Yet if Barcelona doesn’t start making moves soon, it might just be too late, as there is only a matter of weeks left in the summer transfer window.
David De Gea
Let’s start with a long shot, and the goalkeeper position, but with talks breaking down between David De Gea and Manchester United, it leaves the door open for the Spanish champions to swoop in and sign the former Atletico Madrid shot stopper for a cut-price deal. While it would take a lot to dislodge current goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, a move back to Spain could be on the cards.
Joao Cancelo
Since the exit of Gérard Pique, they have been on the lookout for a top defender. With the signing of Senegalese teenager, Mikayil Faye confirmed, from Croatian club, NK Kustosija, they are looking towards the future, but they will still need experience in that back line for next season. While there are plenty who could fit the bill, the Spanish giants usually like a ball-playing defender, who likes a tackle. Matching that criteria is former Man City defender, Joao Cancelo. The full back has had one season at German giants, Bayern Munich after his surprise departure from City, and while he won the Bundesliga (Just about) he may be tempted by the challenge that Barcelona may offer. He would fit into the Barcelona’s style of play and they fans would warm up to his attacking prowess. He has the flare, the experience, and the ability to help bring Barcelona up a level and would be a welcome addition
Ilkay Gundogan
Ilkay Gündogan to Barcelona, here we go! Final approval arrived on club side to register him as new signing, green light from the player. It’s done deal, signed few minutes ago. 🚨🔵🔴 #FCB
Gündogan has agreed a two year deal valid until June 2025 with option for further year. pic.twitter.com/Gr467hNBms
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2023
Onto midfield now and with Sergio Busquets moving on, the club will be looking for a combative midfielder. Who else fits the bill perfectly than Man City midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan. Fresh from winning the treble with the Premier League club, his future is very much undecided with Barcelona the front runners to get his signature. His goal in the FA Cup final and his consistent performances show he would he a great acquisition to try and retain the La Liga title.
Wilfried Gnonto
With Messi off to Miami, Barcelona have had to look elsewhere in the attacking department, although there seems to be a lack of decent strikers around at the moment. Harry Kane is unlikely to switch Spurs for Spain, while Salah has committed his future to Liverpool, for now. They do have Lewandowski, who will get them 30 goals a season, but he will need help. Dembele has proved to be too inconsistent, while Fati doesn't seem to be the finished product. One player that may be an option and a cheaper one than others is Leeds United’s, Wilfried Gnonto. Despite Leeds being relegated, Gnonto was a rare shining light and with the Yorkshire club looking to build up funds to make an immediate return to the Premier League, they could be open to sell their young striker. He is only 19 years old, but he has made 11 appearances for the Italian national team already and is a live wire that would entertain the Catalonian faithful.
Four players should be enough to help retain the La Liga title and with a squad that already consists of Gavi, Pedri, and Lewandowski. A bit of experience, energy and youth should be enough to retain La Liga.
Bernardo Silva
Coach Xavi’s interest in Manchester City’s attacking midfielder is nothing new. The Catalan legend has expressed his admiration for the Portuguese playmaker on numerous occasions. Bernardo Silva is on Barcelona’s watchlist and we just might see a last-minute bid for the 29-year-old’s services.
With Ousmane Dembele’s departure, Barcelona are in dire need of boosting up front if they are to be up to par this season. Sure, a lot of Real Madrid’s key performers got injured right at the start of the campaign but Blaugrana can’t rely on that.
However, signing Bernardo Silva could be tricky financially speaking. Not only does Barcelona have huge financial issues right now, but it doesn’t look like Manchester City are ready to sell. The Citizens are still trying to figure out who Kevin De Bruyne’s replacement will be. The Belgian creator got injured in the opening Premier League game of the season, which leaves Bernardo Silva as the only suitable replacement right now.
If Manchester City decide to sell, Barcelona would have to provide them with an irresistible offer. Barcelona aren’t ready to break the bank on a last-minute transfer in the summer of 2023. Rumors have it that the Catalan giants are keen on reuniting Bernardo Silva with Joao Cancelo and Ilkay Gundogan via a season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy at €60m next season.
Mamadou Fall
Barcelona are also eager to have Los Angeles’ Mamadou Fall on their side for the tiresome 2023/24 La Liga campaign. Coach Xavi would be delighted to have extra options at the back this season, as defender-in-chief Ronald Araujo got injured recently and he will be out for a couple of weeks.
Mamadou Fall is a 20-year-old defender who has a bright future ahead of him. He was a key part of coach Steven Cherundolo’s strategy during the 2022 Major League Soccer race, where Los Angeles FC eventually went on to win the entire thing after a spectacle in the MLS Cup final against Curtin’s Philadelphia Union.
Mamadou Fall wouldn’t come as expensive as some of Barcelona’s other alternatives for the center-back position. According to transfermarkt, Mamadou has a price tag of €2.80m. However, Los Angeles will likely want a tad more for their starlet. Mamadou made a total of 50 appearances for Los Angeles FC so far, and the board has every right to want a more lucrative deal for his services.
Heriberto Jurado
It is like Barcelona don’t have any financial issues at all. At least that’s what Blaugrana’s activity on the transfer market suggests. Coach Xavi is interested in having one of Mexico’s finest assets sooner rather than later. Heriberto Jurado plays as a winger for Liga MX’s Necaxa, and a potential transfer for the 18-year-old would definitely come in cheap, as Necaxa are in need of financial support as well.
Barcelona are preparing a last-minute season-long loan offer for the 18-year-old with an obligation to buy at the end of the campaign for approximately $10m.
