Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has a potential headache in midfield brewing, and reports claim that the club are eyeing possible solutions this summer.
The Catalan giants saw club icon Andres Iniesta bid an emotional farewell at the end of last season, while as noted by Sport, Paulinho is being linked with an exit.
SEE MORE: Lionel Messi factor touted as Barcelona battle Man Utd for £60m Chelsea ace
Should the Brazilian international leave the Nou Camp too, that could leave Barcelona short in midfield if they intend on competing for major honours on multiple fronts next season as they will surely need more quality and depth.
With that concern in mind, Mundo Deportivo claim that they are eyeing three transfer targets to act as a solution, with either Willian, Adrien Rabiot or Frenkie de Jong expected to be drafted in to address the situation.
However, it’s worth noting that it’s added in the report that Willian is reportedly set to command an €80m transfer fee prior to negotiations, and so it remains to be seen how feasible that transfer would be.
Given he turns 30 later this year, can be criticised for his inconsistency and isn’t a direct solution in midfield as his characteristics would demand that he plays in a more advanced role given his preferred role as a winger, that swoop doesn’t seem to make a great deal of sense from Barcelona’s perspective.
In turn, although Mundo Deportivo note that neither Rabiot nor De Jong might arrive immediately, playing the long game and bringing in one of the young stars instead would arguably be the sensible decision to offer a long-term solution in midfield for a more reasonable price.
Coupled with the fact that Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic aren’t getting younger and Andre Gomes and Rafinha were limited to a bit-part role and a loan exit respectively last season, regardless of whether or not they secured a domestic double last season, Barcelona may have important decisions to make this summer to put together a long-term vision to sustain their success.