Barcelona keeping tabs on 25-year-old La Liga pivot midfielder

It is no secret that Barcelona are in the market for a new pivot midfielder heading into the summer transfer window.

Names like Amadou Onana, Joshua Kimmich, Martin Zubimendi, and Guido Rodriguez, among others, have been linked with a move to the Catalan outfit in the summer.

It now appears that a fresh name has been added to the list of potential pivot midfield targets for Barcelona for next season.

Pepelu on the agenda

MARCA reports that Barcelona have their sights set on Valencia defensive midfielder Pepelu as a possible option.

Pepelu, 25, has been enjoying a fine season for Valencia and has grown into a key player for Ruben Baraja’s side, even racking up six goals and an assist from 34 games in all competitions.

Pepelu on Barcelona’s radars. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Barcelona have been monitoring the Spanish midfield ace for some time now and manager Xavi Hernandez appears to be an admirer of the player.

Indeed, following Barça’s match against Valencia last December, Xavi is understood to have directly spoken to Pepelu in the mixed zone to praise and congratulate him for the season he was having – a gesture that was appreciated by the player.

Xavi and his staff, as well as Barcelona’s scouting department, have taken note of the forward step that Pepelu has taken in terms of performances this season.

There is nothing concrete at this point and the fact that Pepelu has a contract with Valencia until 2028 could only complicate things.

For now, though, Barcelona are monitoring the 25-year-old and will get a closer look at him when they take on Los Che in La Liga next Monday.