La Liga heavyweights Barcelona reportedly view 23-year-old Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi as a possible successor for Sergio Busquets.
According to a report by Spanish publication MARCA, Martin Zubimendi is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in the 2023 summer transfer window. The Catalan giants consider the 23-year-old Spanish midfielder as a potential successor for Sergio Busquets.
Martin Zubimendi has been with Real Sociedad for over a decade and has come leaps and bounds at the Basque club in that period. The Spaniard made gradual progress after turning professional, making his first-team debut for La Real as a 20-year-old in April 2019. He has established himself as a pivotal figure for Real Sociedad since then.
The 23-year-old, who has turned out over 100 times thus far for Real Sociedad, is one of the first names on the team sheet for Imanol Alguacil. At the same time, Zubimendi has also broken into the Spanish national team and will fancy his chances of travelling to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup later this year. He has also emerged on Barcelona’s radar over a possible move next summer.
The interest from Barcelona stems from the advancing years of Sergio Busquets. The Barcelona captain has served the Blaugrana for over a decade and a half. But at 34 years old, Busquets is not getting any younger, and Xavi Hernandez might start phasing him out as a regular in the coming months.
The Catalan giants thus need to lay down a succession plan for Busquets, who will be 35 years old before the 2023/24 season begins. Widespread reports have also suggested that an adventure in the MLS awaits the veteran Spanish midfielder before he hangs up his boots amid interest from Inter Miami.
Zubimendi has thus emerged as a viable target for Barcelona, with widespread reports claiming the 23-year-old might be the priority candidate to succeed Busquets. And with Zubimendi’s best years ahead of him, he can slot in seamlessly in Xavi’s setup at FC Barcelona, considering his prowess on the ball.
Ruben Neves is the other candidate on Barcelona’s radar to replace Busquets. But the report by MARCA does not suggest which of the two options will be more in favour for Barcelona heading into the 2023 summer transfer window. Performances in the ongoing campaign will be critical, although Zubimendi might fancy his chances, as he is well settled in La Liga.
