Lionel Messi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Frenkie de Jong are the only players safe at Barcelona this summer as the Catalan club predict less spending and more player exchanges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, sources have told ESPN.
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted last month that the club would still be "capable" of landing the game's best players, but he warned deals could be structured in a very different way after the crisis.
"There is not going to be as much money in the transfer market because of the pandemic," Bartomeu said. "But I predict that we are going to see a lot more swap deals."
Barcelona have already committed to two transfers that will be completed in the summer. Forward Francisco Trincao will move to Camp Nou from Braga in a €30 million deal and Las Palmas midfielder Pedri will join for an initial €5m.
However, sources have told ESPN that the club continue to target another attacker and an internal debate has developed over whether it will still be possible to sign Lautaro Martinez or Neymar -- or even both -- when the window opens.
There is also a desire to sign a right-back, a centre-back to replace Gerard Pique in the long term and a physical midfielder.
There's an awareness inside the club that a number of players will either have to be sold or included as makeweights in potential deals to take on such a big summer overhaul. Various sources have told ESPN that only three players are untouchable when it comes to negotiating: Messi, Ter Stegen and De Jong.
Inter striker Lautaro has a release clause of €111m that becomes active in the first two weeks of July. However, sources say Barca have "no intention" of paying that much. There have already been several meetings with the Serie A side and the possibility of including players to lower the price has been discussed.
Neymar remains Barca's other big target. A year ago, Barca offered PSG various combinations of cash plus players, with Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic, Samuel Umtiti, Jean-Clair Todibo and Ousmane Dembele all put forward. PSG rejected the proposals then, but Barca hope they will change their stance this summer with Neymar's deal up in 2022 and the possibility of the player invoking Article 17 to force an exit unilaterally.
There are players at Barca that both Inter and PSG would be interested in. Sources explain that the Italians are especially keen on Arturo Vidal, while Rakitic, Carles Alena and Rafinha could also be included in the Lautaro operation. PSG, meanwhile, are keen to bolster the number of homegrown French players at the club; Barca have a number of France internationals in their squad.
Sources explain that in an "ideal world" Barca would sign both players, but there is now an acknowledgement they will have to choose one or the other.
The coronavirus crisis is having major consequences on finances across football, and Barcelona have seen their revenue streams tail off dramatically. Ticketing, hospitality, the club museum and the club shops have all been hit.
Therefore, the club are also looking at alternative markets to strengthen the squad in other areas, such as players running out of contract or moving into the final 12 months of deals.
JDX
0
Am i the only one that think De jong is overrated
You r the only one
Dhairya_Rawal
0
you're talking from a virtual (game) reality. We can't Chase old players while allowing other clubs go for the younger ones. we've done this in the past and it is hurting us now with the likes of players like Isco, haaland and some other few. we lost the signature of those guys because we settled for more experienced players. can't do that now. future is key.
Look I know we cannot and should not buy old players... But these will come for free and can contribute minutes straight away... At the same time, they won't come in as starters... As much as we should trust the youth, we can't just blindly throw them in as starters... There is a transition phase... These veterans will come in handy to help these youngsters get steady minutes during this transition phase and at the same time will provide with experience and quality and will easily fit into the team... They are available for nothing and it's not bad to have them while we polish the likes of Arthur, Aleña, Puig and Collado...
jasekmntyz
0
Am i the only one that think De jong is overrated
Yes You are the Only one
MobePoku
0
Bring in Neymar it'll be cheaper. he's more skillful than Lautaro
Neymar will be cheaper?
Deabdnotuy
1
Bring in Neymar it'll be cheaper. he's more skillful than Lautaro
nonbdlost
3
buy neymar is the long replacement for messi
Barcaforever11
0
But y looking for a right back? when u have semedo. TAA is the being regarded to as d best in that position but he doesn’t has the footwork of semedo, his speed and accurate crosses has been his prowess. But semedo has been widely marginalized in Barca and that has made him lost confidence which is very bad.
Bro this is because sergi Roberto is already there although both are not as good as Dani Alves used to be at Barca. But Barca needs defenders who can play a role of a winger as well and in this case I would say that Roberto and semedo both are not good even in 1 on 1 position against the opponent. But Jordi Alba in the left back position has done well but he is facing injuries now. That's why they need someone on these positions who can create something extraordinary.
Barcaforever11
0
Guys think about it. Barca should sell VIDAL, Rakitic, Dembele, Coutinho, Firpo and Semedo. And Lautaro should be skipped as an option now because Neymar will be back. By selling the above players we can buy FABIAN RUIZ as a midfielder to make the Midfield strong. And this will also help to buy a good Right back and a Left back. The forwards will LEO, SUAREZ, GRIEZMAN, BRAITHWAITE, NEYMAR and FATI. Midfield will be the best one Arthur, Frenkie and Fabian Ruiz. What do you think about it?
Bro this is because Sergi Roberto is already there although both are not as good as Dani alves used to be at Barca. But Barca needs defenders who can play a role of a winger as well and in this case I would say that Roberto and Semedo both are not good even in 1 on 1 position against the opponent. But Jordi Alba in the left back position has done well but he is facing injuries now. That's why they need someone on these positions who can create something extraordinary.
jersey10
1
Am i the only one that think De jong is overrated
yes you Are the only one
Bbtd97
0
David Silva, Layvin Kurzawa, Dani Alves(for one season), Pedro... All these are not bad options... Especially David Silva and Pedro...
you're talking from a virtual (game) reality. We can't Chase old players while allowing other clubs go for the younger ones. we've done this in the past and it is hurting us now with the likes of players like Isco, haaland and some other few. we lost the signature of those guys because we settled for more experienced players. can't do that now. future is key.
Olufemifamo
0
Guys think about it. Barca should sell VIDAL, Rakitic, Dembele, Coutinho, Firpo and Semedo. And Lautaro should be skipped as an option now because Neymar will be back. By selling the above players we can buy FABIAN RUIZ as a midfielder to make the Midfield strong. And this will also help to buy a good Right back and a Left back. The forwards will LEO, SUAREZ, GRIEZMAN, BRAITHWAITE, NEYMAR and FATI. Midfield will be the best one Arthur, Frenkie and Fabian Ruiz. What do you think about it?
But y looking for a right back? when u have semedo. TAA is the being regarded to as d best in that position but he doesn’t has the footwork of semedo, his speed and accurate crosses has been his prowess. But semedo has been widely marginalized in Barca and that has made him lost confidence which is very bad.
Olufemifamo
0
overrated De jong...
De jong is perfect and to me he hasn’t done badly. Why are u condemning him this way, considering the position of Barca on the table, and champions league and two goals to his name and he has been in the art almost so how did u guys draw your conclusions.
Olufemifamo
1
Am i the only one that think De jong is overrated
What are u saying, the best mildfield player that is around. Just hold on and see him explode
Aviral Goyal
1
Am i the only one that think De jong is overrated
the thing is he is not overrated, its just barca has not been able to use his abilities as Ajax did. same with Coutinho
Hoeenoprsu
1
Am i the only one that think De jong is overrated
Hoeenoprsu
0
overrated De jong...
🤐🇦🇼🇧🇪:-D im i the only one that think De jong is overrated
zibbdlns
0
overrated De jong...
Overrated Halaand
ashish_gyawali35
0
I am a Barca fan as well and what you are saying is utter crap. Griezmann has had just one season and he has been decent. Lenglet is our centre-back at the moment and Arthur is young enough to improve. Buying Haaland, Sancho, Havertz and Koulibaly is not possible because that is way too expensive. Do you want Barca to get banned like City ??
Agree
Dhairya_Rawal
1
David Silva, Layvin Kurzawa, Dani Alves(for one season), Pedro... All these are not bad options... Especially David Silva and Pedro...
Yehabckrt
1
Alba, pique, lenglet
shamoil_10
0
Arthur should be added on that list..
Noo
admin00
0
Petty gobbledygook kids reply.
Isn't it true
biyabcdmor
2
Arthur should be added on that list..
YehyaAmin
3
pique sergio and alba should be safe aswell
DarkPersona
1
Apart from all your ramactation De Jong is just an average player and Barca never wants an average player. I give him 2 seasons.
He is not average. Anyone who has seen him play knows that. He is above average even out of his position. An average player doesn't win the CL Midfielder of the year. Just because he doesn't appear on scoresheets often doesnt mean he is bad. Do you see Sergio Busquet's on scoresheets often? No. So, is he an average player as well? If your answer is no, you make me believe that you are one of the haters who have never actually watched a Barca game. If your Answer is No, now compare De Jong with Busquets. Don't you see the similarity? De Jong has been one of the best Passers this season as well with above 91-92% Success rate. Hes only behind likes of Kroos, maybe Pique if you compare the Passing accuracy. You can check it. His turns, his composure is unreal. Only in comparison with his Last season, he is bad. Otherwise, he is easily on of the better Midfielders this season all over Europe and already in top 3-5 Mids in La Liga. Dont compare him with Fede pls, Fede is a box to box he must appear nore often in scoresheets than Frenkie. Frenkie on the other hand is Technical Defensive Midfielder who also had sometimes played Cb back in Ajax.
waubikpy
0
sell = sureaz,griazman,cotinho, athur,rakitic,leglent,arthur,semedo,firpo buy= haaland, sancho,havertz,koulibay bring back =todibo,wague, cucurriala give more chance = puig and other academy pkayer if only this happen , barca will be back on their original brand
stop criticising barthomeu again his even better than you.
waubikpy
0
sell = sureaz,griazman,cotinho, athur,rakitic,leglent,arthur,semedo,firpo buy= haaland, sancho,havertz,koulibay bring back =todibo,wague, cucurriala give more chance = puig and other academy pkayer if only this happen , barca will be back on their original brand
if you are one country president for sure you can sell your country to China.
LeoSultan
0
Sale raktic Roberto Vidal coutino ummiti loan dembele and bring back wague toddibo alena pedri and buy laturo Neymar is not needed his 27 we are focusing on present here in five years Neymar is going to get ready to retire Guardiola was successful for selling this type of players that act like Neymar and trusting in la masia. Real Madrid messed up the sold a lot of you talents But bought a lot of propects we are selling are prospects and buying expensive players that’s why Barca is going. Broke
I would say giving game time for Wague and Oriol will help us but Sergi is one player where he can be placed on many positions and good defensively. I've seen him improve a lot in RB position. Considering Pique getting old if we don't even have good RB and Messi's inability to track back our Right side is too poor and burdens Busi and Frenkie
Jazyelavila
0
We need Roberto.
No we don’t they don’t know where to play him in midfield be C.B. he’s just their because his getting protected from the important players and so the board can say we still use masia players
LeoSultan
0
Sale raktic Roberto Vidal coutino ummiti loan dembele and bring back wague toddibo alena pedri and buy laturo Neymar is not needed his 27 we are focusing on present here in five years Neymar is going to get ready to retire Guardiola was successful for selling this type of players that act like Neymar and trusting in la masia. Real Madrid messed up the sold a lot of you talents But bought a lot of propects we are selling are prospects and buying expensive players that’s why Barca is going. Broke
We need Roberto.
LeoSultan
3
Arthur, Lenglet too
Jazyelavila
0
Sale raktic Roberto Vidal coutino ummiti loan dembele and bring back wague toddibo alena pedri and buy laturo Neymar is not needed his 27 we are focusing on present here in five years Neymar is going to get ready to retire Guardiola was successful for selling this type of players that act like Neymar and trusting in la masia. Real Madrid messed up the sold a lot of you talents But bought a lot of propects we are selling are prospects and buying expensive players that’s why Barca is going. Broke
adhikris
0
what about other captains? Pique, Busquets, Roberto🤷♂
all 3 should be safe in barca
coyiknprz
1
wow
kumar karthik
0
sell = sureaz,griazman,cotinho, athur,rakitic,leglent,arthur,semedo,firpo buy= haaland, sancho,havertz,koulibay bring back =todibo,wague, cucurriala give more chance = puig and other academy pkayer if only this happen , barca will be back on their original brand
this ain't fifa 20
Kucntuy
0
overrated De jong...
Barcaforever11
6
Guys think about it. Barca should sell VIDAL, Rakitic, Dembele, Coutinho, Firpo and Semedo. And Lautaro should be skipped as an option now because Neymar will be back. By selling the above players we can buy FABIAN RUIZ as a midfielder to make the Midfield strong. And this will also help to buy a good Right back and a Left back. The forwards will LEO, SUAREZ, GRIEZMAN, BRAITHWAITE, NEYMAR and FATI. Midfield will be the best one Arthur, Frenkie and Fabian Ruiz. What do you think about it?
29356899(deleted)
2
Why don't you worry about covid19 who has denied you of laying your hands on Epl titles you waited for for over 30yrs! Since ATM destroyed your team back to back both home and away you guys couldn't think straight again. Sorry! De Jong is doing exactly what the club wants him to do!
That is why they are like you.BORING.🤡
29356899(deleted)
2
Calling De Jong's Spell at Barca so far a Disaster is absolutely wrong. Trust me, I watch every single match of every single Barca Match and I can confirm that De Jong had been above average this season even though playing out of position. The problem is that he is not playing that effective as he played Last year for Ajax but thats majorly because he plays at Busquet's position. Once he starts playing there he'll be the same again. His composure on the field is unreal and his passing for his age is sublime. Maybe in a little while when he earns enough trust to play in Busquet's position, we'll see magic again. Although he's still above average and in no way had been a disaster.
Apart from all your ramactation De Jong is just an average player and Barca never wants an average player. I give him 2 seasons.
MancForever
3
lol ! talking mu fan 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I am a Barca fan as well and what you are saying is utter crap. Griezmann has had just one season and he has been decent. Lenglet is our centre-back at the moment and Arthur is young enough to improve. Buying Haaland, Sancho, Havertz and Koulibaly is not possible because that is way too expensive. Do you want Barca to get banned like City ??
Vucbceir
0
What the hell have you been smoking ??
lol ! talking mu fan 🤣🤣🤣🤣
MancForever
2
sell = sureaz,griazman,cotinho, athur,rakitic,leglent,arthur,semedo,firpo buy= haaland, sancho,havertz,koulibay bring back =todibo,wague, cucurriala give more chance = puig and other academy pkayer if only this happen , barca will be back on their original brand
What the hell have you been smoking ??
MSN⚽
2
what about other captains? Pique, Busquets, Roberto🤷♂
Vucbceir
1
sell = sureaz,griazman,cotinho, athur,rakitic,leglent,arthur,semedo,firpo buy= haaland, sancho,havertz,koulibay bring back =todibo,wague, cucurriala give more chance = puig and other academy pkayer if only this happen , barca will be back on their original brand
DarkPersona
2
De Jong had one great season with Ajax. Since he joined Barca he hasn't put a foot right. Being honest he has been a disaster for Barca. For one reason or another Barca don't want to admit this. He should be treated the same as any other player. He spends 90% of games hiding. Not taking any chances.
Calling De Jong's Spell at Barca so far a Disaster is absolutely wrong. Trust me, I watch every single match of every single Barca Match and I can confirm that De Jong had been above average this season even though playing out of position. The problem is that he is not playing that effective as he played Last year for Ajax but thats majorly because he plays at Busquet's position. Once he starts playing there he'll be the same again. His composure on the field is unreal and his passing for his age is sublime. Maybe in a little while when he earns enough trust to play in Busquet's position, we'll see magic again. Although he's still above average and in no way had been a disaster.
Vucbceir
2
if this will happen .i am the man who will be the happiest man in the world
Jekdmnpty
4
Umtiti + Griezman + €30mill = Neymar, I don't think Barca need to sign Lautaro now. Suarez can play and if he is I jured Brathwaite is there along with Fati.
Eshaab4367
2
Arthur has also been deemed untransferable by the board
Looacekln
1
De Jong had one great season with Ajax. Since he joined Barca he hasn't put a foot right. Being honest he has been a disaster for Barca. For one reason or another Barca don't want to admit this. He should be treated the same as any other player. He spends 90% of games hiding. Not taking any chances.
Why don't you worry about covid19 who has denied you of laying your hands on Epl titles you waited for for over 30yrs! Since ATM destroyed your team back to back both home and away you guys couldn't think straight again. Sorry! De Jong is doing exactly what the club wants him to do!
Kwame_Abebe
1
I think concentrating on your 30 years without winning a league will help you much better than this baseless argument. the yr that you want to win just a league look at what you've caused #COVID-19