Barcelona are reportedly lining up a Bosman move for former Manchester United star Adnan Januzaj, whose contract with Real Sociedad expires next summer.
According to a report from Fichajes, Barcelona are considering signing Belgian winger Adnan Januzaj on a free transfer in 2022 when his contract with La Liga rivals Real Sociedad runs out.
Januzaj started at the Anderlecht academy before switching to Manchester United in 2011. The forward burst onto the scenes with the Red Devils in 2013 under then-manager David Moyes. The Belgian was widely regarded as the next best thing to have come through the ranks at Old Trafford, but struggles under Louis van Gaal eventually forced him out of the club.
Indeed, after underwhelming loan spells at Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland, Januzaj left Manchester United permanently in the summer of 2017, signing for Real Sociedad. Since arriving in Spain, the 26-year-old has been able to get his career back on track and has grown into a regular for Imanol Alguacil’s side.
Januzaj has made 120 appearances for La Real to date and has made a steady start to the new campaign, producing a tally of two goals and assists apiece from 20 matches in all competitions. While those are not great numbers, the 26-year-old has still impressed the onlookers with his versatile nature and natural ability on the ball.
These qualities have found him an admirer in Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez who now wants the club to make a swoop for Januzaj when his current contract with Sociedad winds down. It is no secret that the Catalans are on the lookout for reinforcements in the attacking unit, the need for which could further increase if Ousmane Dembele does not renew his deal.
The Frenchman, like Januzaj, is in the last seven months of his contract and has been heavily linked with an exit. Should he end up leaving Camp Nou in the near future, Barcelona will be forced to dip their toes in the market for a replacement. But with their finances being the way they are, the Catalans would have to look at cost-effective options.
So, the fact that Januzaj would come for free is something that appeals to the Blaugrana. It is claimed that the 13-time capped Belgian international makes a net salary of €2.3 million per year at Real Sociedad and is seeking an improvement on those wages. However, the club are not in a position to offer a higher pay packet, something Barcelona can, especially if Dembele ends up departing.
So even though Januzaj has previously insisted that he is happy in San Sebastian and wants to continue at the Anoeta, an approach from Barcelona could change things for the former Manchester United winger. While he may not be the most high-profile addition for the Catalan giants, his experience in La Liga and potential free-agent status would make him a shrewd purchase even as a squad-rotation player.
