Stanislav Lobotka, valued at €50 million by Serie A giants Napoli, has reportedly offered his services to Barcelona.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Barcelona will have the chance to sign Stanislav Lobotka in the summer transfer window. The 54-cap Slovakian international has offered his services to the Blaugrana after a dreadful season for Napoli, which will see the outgoing Serie A champions fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Stanislav Lobotka and his rising stock in Serie A
Stanislav Lobotka has been one of the best midfielders in Serie A since joining Napoli from Celta Vigo in January 2020. A native of Trenčín, the 29-year-old spent his formative years in his homeland but rose in prominence after moving to Spain in 2017. He spent over three years with Celta Vigo before the Partenopei secured his services.
The Slovakian international, who has turned out 54 times for his national side, has made 162 appearances for Napoli, chipping in with two goals and two assists. Lobotka was instrumental in Napoli’s Serie A triumph last season and has remained a bright spot in a dreadful Partenopei side. However, his future at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium is uncertain.
Napoli’s failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League has left the futures of many pivotal figures uncertain. Lobotka is one of them, with the Slovak offering his services to Barcelona. However, the Blaugrana will face some difficulties signing him, with the Serie A giants demanding around €50 million to part ways with him.
La Liga return on the cards?
Stanislav Lobotka has been on Barcelona’s radar for a long time, with Xavi Hernandez being an admirer of his qualities. The Catalan giants are scouring the market for a holding midfielder heading into the summer transfer window, with Sergio Busquets’s departure leaving a gaping hole in the midfield department.
Oriol Romeu failed to fill the void left by Busquets’s departure, and the veteran midfielder will likely leave Barcelona this summer. So, it behoves the Blaugrana to delve into the market for a defensive midfielder, with several candidates emerging, including Joshua Kimmich, on the club’s radar. However, Lobotka is also a viable target for Barcelona.
It is unclear if Barcelona will be open to coughing up €50 million to secure Stanislav Lobotka’s services in the summer transfer window. However, he is an option worth considering as they look to sign a holding midfielder.
