The Hard Tackle lists three potential free agents Barcelona should target in the summer transfer window later this year.
Barcelona and the free agent market have become synonymous with each other in the last few years. The after-effects of the Josep Maria Bartomeu era have left the Blaugrana in a financial mess. And they have had to resort to scouring the market for cost-effective deals for some time.
While Barcelona splashed the cash last summer, they had several financial levers to thank for the splurge. But that will unlikely be the case later this year when the Catalan giants continue their squad overhaul under the tutelage of Xavi Hernandez.
So Barcelona will again need to return to the market to hash out economical deals this summer. And signing free agents will help them immensely when they look to bolster their squad. And with several players closing in on seeing their contracts expire, Barcelona should have several options on the radar.
With that in mind, The Hard Tackle picks three potential free agents for Barcelona to pursue in the summer transfer window. These players will help address the problem areas in Xavi’s squad thus far this season.
Evan Ndicka
Barcelona signed two centre-backs last summer. Yet, they remain in the market for another central defensive reinforcement. That is because Eric Garcia has failed to make his mark at Spotify Camp Nou, while Gerard Pique called time on his glittering career in November.
So the Blaugrana will likely return to the market for a central defender in the summer transfer window. And Inigo Martinez is reportedly their top target after they also chased him last summer. But we have picked Evan Ndicka as the more ideal solution to their problems.
Ndicka has emerged as a target for several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Arsenal. But his qualities also suit Barcelona, which is why they should be all over him ahead of the summer transfer window. And recent reports have linked them with the French defender. Proficient on the ball while being strong in the air, Ndicka fits Xavi’s requirements.
In addition, he is left-footed, making him potentially a glove-like fit at Camp Nou. And his arrival will mean Barcelona fans will no longer need to see Marcos Alonso starting as a centre-back, which has been the case this season due to the absence of a left-footed centre-back. But clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool can offer him better terms, meaning Barcelona will have to sell Xavi’s project to the Frenchman.
Marcus Thuram
The next name on the list features a player who can be an all-in-one solution in the final third for Barcelona. We are talking about someone whose free-agent status is a formality after Borussia Monchengladbach confirmed his impending summer departure. The player in question is Marcus Thuram.
The Frenchman has been sensational for Gladbach this season, scoring goals for fun. He also made his mark for France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, featuring in the final against eventual champions Argentina. And the 25-year-old is an attractive proposition for Barcelona.
The French international likes to run with the ball at his feet, while his finishing has improved considerably. And despite his weakness in the air, he can be a solid addition to the Barcelona squad. That is because Thuram can be the obvious deputy to Robert Lewandowski. And he is unsurprisingly on Barcelona’s radar.
Xavi does not have a natural striker in his squad and has had to resort to clever solutions in the Polish international’s absence. Having Thuram in the group will thus save Xavi some headaches next season. At the same time, the World Cup finalist can play out wide, potentially making him a regular starter when Lewandowski is available.
Youri Tielemans
The last name on our list can be a one-stop solution in the middle of the park for Barcelona. This player is also seemingly certain to leave his current club. We are talking about Youri Tielemans, whose journey at Leicester City will likely end in the summer.
Tielemans has been one of the most underrated players in the Premier League since joining the Foxes. And he has been a pivotal figure for Leicester City in the last few seasons. This season, he has also displayed his ability to play as a holding midfielder, showing he can embrace more defensive responsibility.
With Sergio Busquets in the twilight of his career, the Belgian international can potentially replace the veteran midfielder. In addition, Tielemans can also be an option to reprise his usual box-to-box midfield role if Frenkie de Jong starts at the base of the midfield unit. Meanwhile, his set-piece ability will also add to his allure.
But like the other two candidates, Tielemans is also popular in the market. And he will be a target for Arsenal and a few other Premier League clubs in the summer. Nonetheless, he is an option worth considering. And it will be interesting to see if the Catalan giants pursue the 25-year-old.
