UEFA Euro 2024 is the perfect stage for players to catch the eye of European giants, and here are five talents Barcelona should scout in Germany.
The UEFA Euro 2024 will get underway in less than a week’s time. While players are focused on the task at hand as they look to guide their national teams to glory, it will be a great opportunity for clubs from across Europe to scout players.
Clubs have often used major international tournaments as a platform to scout players they already like and at times, certain players who are not really on their radar end up getting noticed at such events.
Barcelona did not have the best of seasons last time out as they went trophyless. They were second-best in La Liga for the majority of the season. The Blaugrana did have the opportunity to go far in the UEFA Champions League, but they could not capitalise on the opportunity they had.
On the back of a disappointing campaign, they ended up sacking Xavi Hernandez and have appointed Hansi Flick as their new manager in an attempt to help revive the club. While the Catalan giants have already identified quite a few top targets, Flick and his team will keep a close eye on the Euros as they look for players to bolster their ranks. The Hard Tackle have identified five players that the Spanish giants could look to scout at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Nico Williams
Williams has had an exceptional rise at Athletic Club. The 21-year-old is all set to represent Spain at the Euro, and there is no shortage of interest in his services. He is heading into the continental tournament on the back of a sensational season with his childhood club and will be eager to continue in a similar fashion.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Real Madrid have all been linked with the young winger, who has a €50 million release clause in his deal. While all three English clubs could easily trigger his release, they have been shocked by his wage demands and feel he is waiting for an offer from Real Madrid or Barcelona.
The Catalan giants are big admirers of Williams, and he could solve quite a few problems for them. Barcelona have struggled for consistency on the flanks and to be precise, they need someone who can make the left flank his own and the Athletic Club star can surely do that.
But, they do not have the best of financial situations and are looking to raise funds before they make any moves in the window. Reports suggest they could sanction the departure of Raphinha to raise funds to secure the 21-year-old’s signature. But, before they take this big a step, Barcelona will have their eyes on him during the Euro, and his performances over the next month could have a big say on whether they do end up going hard for his signature.
Kristjan Asllani
Asllani might not be a regular starter at Inter Milan. But he has made quite a name for himself with impressive performances as a backup. The 22-year-old defensive midfielder will be a key figure for Albania at the Euro, and there will be quite a few eyes on him.
He has already been linked with Aston Villa, who seek more depth in midfield. But Barcelona could also have a look at him during the Euros. The Catalan giants are looking to add more quality in the centre of the park. While they wanted to bring in a top-quality defensive midfielder to replace Sergio Busquets last summer, they could only manage to bring Oriol Romeu back to the club.
Romeu has not really been that great a signing, and Barcelona are now looking to reinforce their midfield by adding more options in the defensive midfield role. They are looking for someone who can replace Busquets in the long run, and Asllani surely has the potential to reach great heights.
His performances at the Euro could have a big say on his future. If he does end up putting on an impressive display, the 22-year-old could find himself on Barcelona’s wishlist. While he still has three years left on his deal at Inter, a significant fee could help them prise him away.
Amadou Onana
Onana is another defensive midfielder Barcelona could be closely monitoring during the Euro. The Catalan giants have already been linked with the 22-year-old Everton star, and he could be a great addition to their ranks.
While Asllani might not yet be ready to be a regular at Barcelona, the Belgian international has already proven himself in the English top flight and moving to La Liga might not be that big a challenge for him. He has already impressed everyone with his defensive work rate, and he will only get better with time.
However, a lot will depend on how he performs at the Euros. He might be only 22, but he is expected to play a big role for Belgium at the Euro, and multiple top clubs will be closely following his progress. Arsenal and Manchester United are two English giants who are keen on signing him and they have also held talks with his representatives.
No doubt there is a lot of competition for his services, but Onana could be an ideal fit for the Spanish club and since he could be a long-term successor of Busquets, investing in him could be the right decision. However, his performances at the Euro could be the deciding factor.
Benjamin Sesko
Arsenal and Chelsea are already involved in an intense transfer battle for the signature of Benjamin Sesko. While they have been making moves in recent weeks to sign him, the player is focused on doing his best for Slovenia at UEFA Euro 2024, and he is unlikely to make any decision regarding his future before he returns from Germany.
The 21-year-old made the move from Red Bull Salzburg to sister club RB Leipzig last summer. Since making that switch, he has scored 18 goals and also has 2 assists in just over 2,000 minutes of first-team football. His impressive performances have already resulted in interest from the English top flight and if does end up having a great Euro campaign, more clubs could enter the race.
Barcelona could be one of the clubs that make a surprise entry in the race for the young forward who has a £56 million release clause. The Catalan giants have not been linked with him and signing a striker is not a priority for them.
However, with Vitor Roque’s future at the club uncertain, they will be keeping a close eye on potential candidates. Sesko is a star in the making, and a good Euro 2024 campaign could put him on the wishlist of the Spanish giants.
Xavi Simons
Simons was a part of the Barcelona youth ranks back in the day before he parted ways with the club to join PSG in the summer of 2019. The initial years after moving to the French giants were not really that easy for the Dutch international.
But, he has got things back on track and has had exceptional loan spells at PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig over the last two seasons. In the recently concluded season, the attacking midfielder contributed towards 25 goals (10 goals, 15 assists).
On the back of a sensational season at RB Leipzig, the PSG star is heading into the Euro hoping to take the Netherlands all the way. Multiple top clubs will be monitoring him during the continental tournament in Germany, and Barcelona will surely be one of them. The player reportedly has his heart set on a return to his childhood club.
The Catalan giants want more creativity in attack, and Simons could be a sensational signing for them. He can feature as a number 10 as well as on either flank. More importantly, he is already well aware of their style of play having come up the ranks at La Masia, and it won’t take him long to adjust to the surroundings.
Apart from Barcelona, Arsenal, and Manchester United are two giants who have been linked with him. The Catalan giants will surely monitor him, but they are not going to find it easy to sign him. With three years left on his deal at PSG, the French giants are unlikely to let him leave on the cheap.