Reinforced by the 0-4 at the Bernabéu, Barça’s sports managers have sat down to talk this week calmly to continue outlining the main lines of the 2022-23 squad with the idea that qualifying for the Champions League, an essential condition for meeting the budget, is now on track. DAt the moment, and in the absence of an official announcement, Barça has closed the signings of the Danish central defender Andreas Christensen and the Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié. But they have work to do.
Beyond the dream of Haaland, whose signing is now seen more as a fantasy than a reality after how Laporta cooled him down (“we will not put the club’s economy at risk”), For Barça, the priority these days has to do with the extensions of Araújo and Gavi. Mateu Alemany is obliged to resolve them before the summer, since their contract ends in 2023. Extending them beyond the start of the course would be risking new Dembélé cases. Barça has opened the door to a good handful of first-team players: Neto, Sergi Roberto (his renewal is at a standstill), Lenglet, Umtiti, Mingueza, Riqui, Braithwaite, and Luuk de Jong. Some particular issues remain pending. The renewal of Dani Alves, which will be decided at the end of the season; the continuity of Adama (the purchase option for the winger could be resolved if Wolves execute theirs for Trincao); and Memphis, who would like to know his role on the team next season.
There are several guaranteed reinforcements at Barça. The next season, Ter Stegen will not be indisputable. The club, if Iñaki Peña does not stay (he wants minutes and it is difficult for him to have them at Barça), will incorporate a goalkeeper to compete with him. Alba also needs someone to give her oxygen on the left wing (Gayá, Grimaldo sound). On the right side, the options of Azpilicueta and Mazraoui are still alive. Both end their contract, but their signing could depend on what happens with Alves and if Dest goes on the market. The signings of Christensen and Kessié solve the center of the defense and the center of the field except for surprise. Up front, and beyond Haaland, Barça wants to sign a star who, moreover, can coincide with Dembélé’s replacement. Salah and Raphinha (a signing in which Deco could be involved) are the great candidates. Ferran, Ansu and Aubameyang are indisputable in the project.