Intermediaries have reportedly offered 64-cap Argentine international Leandro Paredes to Barcelona for a possible cut-price summer move.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Barcelona will have the chance to sign Leandro Paredes in the summer transfer window. The 30-year-old midfielder, who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina, faces an uncertain future at AS Roma after entering the final year of his contract with the Serie A club.
The Leandro Paredes story
Leandro Paredes has been a dependable performer for most clubs he has represented thus far in his career. A native of San Justo, he began his youth career at La Justina de San Justo before spending some time with Brisas del Sur. However, he spent most of his formative years with Boca Juniors and graduated from the fabled Argentine club’s youth division.
Paredes’s first European adventure came with two loan spells (with Chievo Verona and AS Roma). However, the experienced midfielder’s stock rose after he joined Zenit St. Petersburg before he enjoyed a successful stint with Paris Saint-Germain. The 30-year-old returned to AS Roma last summer and amassed nearly 4,000 minutes of game time across 49 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with five goals and seven assists.
Meanwhile, the Argentine international has enjoyed success at the international level, winning the Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup with La Albiceleste. However, Paredes faces an uncertain future at AS Roma after entering the final year of his contract. Intermediaries have now offered the player to Barcelona.
Barcelona move on the cards?
Barcelona can do with a player like Leandro Paredes. The Catalan giants have been scouring the market for a holding midfielder heading into the summer transfer window. The position has created many problems since Sergio Busquets’s legendary spell ended last year, although Andreas Christensen was a solid makeshift defensive midfielder in the 2023/24 season.
Nevertheless, several midfielders, including Mikel Merino, have emerged on Barcelona’s radar for a possible summer move. However, Paredes is also a viable target, as he can be a cost-effective short-term solution in the middle of the park.
The Catalan giants rate the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner highly but prefer a move for Merino and Amadou Onana. So, the 30-year-old Argentine international will only become a top target for Barcelona if Merino and Onana become inaccessible.
