Six big names on Barcelona wish-list.Barcelona are ready to spend big on new signings upfront this summer as they begin the rebuilding process for next season, and they could be set to make a raid on some of the biggest names in the Premier League.
With the Catalan giants finishing trophyless in 2013/14, new manager Luis Enrique has been tasked with offloading a number of the club’s established players to raise the funds to replace them with a new-look starting lineup next term.
According to Spanish source Mundo Deportivo, the six main targets are as follows, with star players from Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all believed to be priorities.
6) Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
One big name long linked with a move to Barcelona as well as other top clubs is Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus. Although not an out-and-out striker, the German international has shown plenty of quality in the opposition penalty area, notching up 23 goals and 15 assists in the 2013/14 season to further establish himself as one of the best attacking players in Europe. Dortmund will be desperate not to lose Reus this summer, however, as they already face the departure of star striker Robert Lewandowski to rivals Bayern Munich, while exciting young playmaker Mario Goetze made the same move last summer. Still, it is claimed that Barca will try their luck with an opening offer of around £36m for his services.
5) Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)
After a superb first season in Serie A with Napoli, former Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain could be set for a quick return to La Liga just one year after leaving his previous club Real Madrid. Barcelona have recently emerged as the favourites to sign the clinical Argentine, who himself as admitted he could be tempted to move to the Nou Camp and play alongside his international team-mate Lionel Messi. Higuain may be available for just £30m, which would potentially be something of a bargain for Barcelona as they look to sign a recognised centre-forward.
4) Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Next on Barcelona’s shortlist is Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, another classy Argentine attacker. Supposedly, Barca star Lionel Messi has expressed a desire for his club to target his international team-mate this summer, and it seems that the board are ready to take his advice. Although injuries hampered Aguero’s progress somewhat in 2013/14, the 26-year-old still managed a superb record of 28 goals in 34 games in all competitions, helping City to glory in both the Premier League and the Capital One Cup. Still, with the likes of Edin Dzeko, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic also on the books at the Etihad Stadium, City may be tempted to cash in on the injury-prone Aguero if the right offer comes along, and it is thought that Barca could be willing to pay as much as £48m to sign him this summer.
3) Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
Undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the Premier League for the last few years, Robin van Persie of Manchester United may be a realistic target for Barcelona after the Red Devils’ endured a nightmare season of their own, finishing trophyless and dropping to a disastrous 7th place finish. The prolific Dutchman could be a great solution to Barcelona’s problems upfront, providing a lethal goal threat with his superb recent record of 107 goals in the last four seasons in all competitions. New United manager Louis van Gaal will, however, surely be desperate to keep hold of his fellow countryman as he faces a tough job in his first season at Old Trafford.
2) Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Like Marco Reus, Eden Hazard is not an out-and-out striker, but the Belgian winger’s superb eye for goal this season has made him one of Barcelona’s top transfer targets as well this summer. The supremely-talented 23-year-old netted 17 times this season and is starting to show the potential to match the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in their goalscoring exploits from the wide positions. Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the former Lille star on numerous occasions, and while Chelsea will surely not be ready to sell for anything but crazy money, Barca are seemingly ready to try their luck with a move in the coming months.
1) Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
A long-time target for Barcelona’s arch rivals Real Madrid, Liverpool star Luis Suarez could be the subject of much transfer speculation again this summer after another incredible season in the Premier League. The Uruguayan, who will be looking to terrorise England in today’s World Cup Group D clash, finished as the top scorer in the top flight this season, scoring a number of memorable solo efforts and forming a devastating partnership with Daniel Sturridge to come agonisingly close to firing the Reds to the title. There’s no doubt that the 27-year-old would not look out of place in Barcelona’s star-studded attack, and the prospect of him playing alongside Messi and co. would certainly be mouth-watering for the club’s fans and for neutrals. It is claimed that Suarez would cost around £68m, but it could even be more, so it will be interesting to see if Barcelona really are ready to cough up that kind of cash in order to bring in this world class talent.