Barcelona retain interest in 22-year-old La Liga midfield enforcer for the summer

It is well-established by this point that Barcelona will sign a new defensive midfielder in the summer transfer window. The pivot position is a top priority for sporting director Deco, with the Oriol Romeu experiment not working out.

As such, names like Joshua Kimmich, Bruno Guimaraes, and more recently Everton’s Amadou Onana have been linked. But their valuations make the signing difficult for Barça who are going through economic problems.

Barcelona, therefore, are also keeping an eye out for cost-effective solutions to address their need for a new pivot.

Dion Lopy a target

As such, Dion Lopy of UD Almeria happens to be on Barcelona’s wishlist for the summer transfer window, reports Mundo Deportivo.

Lopy, 22, joined Almeria from Stade Reims in the summer of 2023, in a deal worth around €6.5 million plus €3.5 million in variables. Since then, the Senegalese international has churned out some impressive performances in La Liga, making a solid impression.

Reports earlier this week indicated that Barcelona had considered signing Lopy during the January transfer window. However, Almeria’s demands put them off as the La Liga club was seeking more than the €15 million that Eintracht Frankfurt were willing to offer for him.

While a move in January might not have materialised, Barcelona still see Lopy as an option for the summer transfer window, as per Mundo Deportivo.

The 22-year-old has admitted that he idolises Paul Pogba and follows Martin Zubimendi and Aleix Garcia, two players who have been heavily linked with Barcelona.

Diop could be an interesting option for the Blaugrana come summer, although with his contract at Almeria running until 2029, the Spanish club might ask for a sizeable transfer fee.