In the transfer market, uncertainty often reigns until the last moment, so it is important to always have backup plans in place for whatever may happen. Aware of this, Barça‘s top priority in the transfer market is to sign a left winger. This is a task that has been pending since last summer and is a goal agreed upon by sporting director Deco and coach Hansi Flick. Both are well aware of the team’s dependence on its forwards and lack of alternatives, and they want to increase competition with a reliable player who can open up the team’s play and has the ability to dribble and beat defenders.
One favorite and several alternatives
In the search for the perfect man for the position, Deco is clear that it is Luis Díaz. The 28-year-old Colombian fits perfectly with what the Azulgrana are looking for, but he has a contract with Liverpool that will not make things easy. The problem lies in his asking price, which could be around 70-80 million, which could be a problem for Joan Laporta’s side. Furthermore, at first glance, the English club is not considering letting the player go, so Barça has opted for a strategy of letting time pass, as the English club has made a large investment in the market and needs to bring in money. Given the pressure from the player, who seems keen to move on, it is expected that his transfer fee will be reduced over time.
Plan B is English player Marcus Rashford, who has already expressed on multiple occasions that he wants to play for Barcelona and would be willing to give up a large part of his salary in order to secure a place at Barça. He is owned by Manchester United, who want to get rid of him, but not at any price. The English club would let him go for a figure close to €40 million.
In the last few hours, Inter Milan has emerged as a new player that could take him away from Barcelona. Hansi Flick has reportedly put another name on the table for the left winger. That name is Ademola Lookman. His price could be around $60 million, but some sources say he could be sold for around $30 million.
This season, he scored 20 goals and provided seven assists for Atalanta. The player has a contract until 2026, a key factor in the negotiations.
A low-cost option with a future
Now, reports from Croatia suggest that Barça is close to completing a deal worth just €10 million. The Catalan club could be close to signing one of the most promising players in European football. He is Cardoso Varela, a 16-year-old Portuguese winger who plays for Dinamo Zagreb. However, everything points to him being a reinforcement for the future, as according to the ‘Croatian Football’ account, Barça would be willing to activate the clause now, but the player would not arrive until next season.