Depay, Wijnaldum and Lautaro Martinez: A closer look at Barcelona's potential roster reinforcements
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3 Yrs Ago
Lionel Messi is heading back to Barcelona, for now, and as much as the marriage appears destined for a divorce, the focus on the upcoming season at the Camp Nou has shifted from life after Messi to rebuilding around him.
Ronald Koeman has stepped in and made it clear a thorough roster overhaul is in the works, and we have already begun to see players being cast aside at a record rate in the wake of last month’s embarrassing Champions League loss to Bayern.
Ivan Rakitic has already been presented at Sevilla, while Arturo Vidal and Luis Suarez are preparing for their own departures from the club. Jordi Alba has also been deemed surplus to requirements, while out-of-favor defender Samuel Umtiti appears ready to leave on a free transfer after Barcelona reportedly failed to find any takers for the World Cup champion.
Gerard Pique appears to be part of Koeman’s plans, while Sergio Busquets’ recent impressive showing for Spain in Nations League served as a reminder that the veteran midfielder maestro still has plenty to offer.
As the La Liga season set to kick off in less than a week, here is a look at the who could be on the way in, and on the way out, at the Camp Nou, as Barcelona’s overhaul prepares to hit full swing:
Hello Gini Wijnaldum, Goodbye Ivan Rakitic
The Croatian midfielder has already said his goodbyes in Barcelona, but his replacement has not yet been secured. Enter Wijnaldum, who Koeman rates highly and who could be tempted to join Koeman’s project after playing for him with the Dutch national team.
Liverpool isn’t about to give away Wijnaldum for free, but with just one year left on his contract, he should be available to Barcelona at a price the club can handle.
Goodbye Jordi Alba, Hello Angelino
Koeman’s reported disinterest in Alba puts Barcelona in a tough spot given how many years are still left on Alba’s contract, and how high his salary is, but he is still an attractive option for plenty of teams and could be included in a transfer for a target like Lautaro Martinez.
Koeman’s desire to get younger and faster has led to a link with Angelino, the Manchester City fullback who impressed most recently while on loan at RB Leipzig. Though Angelino is reportedly close to a transfer to RB Leipzig, Koeman would love nothing more than to bring the Spaniard in as Alba’s replacement.
Goodbye Luis Suarez, Hello Memphis Depay
We still don’t know where Suarez will go next, be it Juventus or Ajax, but at this point it is safe to assume he has played his final match for the Catalans. Koeman has already targeted his replacement in Memphis Depay, who Koeman worked with as Dutch national team manager.
Depay boasts the speed and technical skill to fit in well at Barcelona, and as he gets further away from the torn ACL surgery he has last winter, the Lyon star should be even more dangerous.
Goodbye Arturo Vidal, Hello Thiago
The fiery Chilean midfielder has worn out his welcome at Barcelona, though it remains to be seen just where he will wind up. Koeman could care less though, and has instead focused his attention to restocking his midfield.
Enter Thiago, the Bayern Munich midfielder who began his career at Barcelona and most recently had been linked to a move to Liverpool. Can Koeman convince Thiago to return to the Camp Nou and skip joining Jurgen Klopp at Anfield?
Goodbye Antoine Griezmann, Hello Lautaro Martinez
Though Griezmann has been identified as someone Barcelona intends to hold on to, he is also the type of player who could fund the restocking of the roster. Given Barcelona’s continued pursuit of Martinez, you have to wonder if the French star might be available.
Martinez had long been considered a natural replacement for Suarez, and still could be, but it will take some creative trading to pry Martinez away from Milan, including a potential multi-player swap.
Adding Martinez, Thiago, Depay, Wijnaldum and Angelino would be a dream scenario for Koeman and Barcelona, but is probably an unrealistic haul. Koeman should succeed in landing some of those targets, but securing his entire wish list will take some luck.
What is clear is that Barcelona will be busy this transfer window, and the Barcelona team that will take the field when the Champions League returns in the fall will be a much different team from the one that walked off the field in shame against Bayern Munich back in August.