Barcelona revive interest in South American pivot midfielder, face Napoli competition

With the summer transfer window only a couple of months away, Barcelona are chalking out their plans and strategies to strengthen the squad before next season.

Once again, the club’s financial situation will dictate how they go about in the market and as things stand, things are not looking very bright for the Catalan heavyweights.

As such, Barcelona will once again likely have to look for low-cost signings and the free-agent pool to strengthen the roster.

Barcelona revive interest in Guido Rodriguez

This situation has led to Barcelona rekindling their interest in a former target, Real Betis and Argentina pivot midfielder Guido Rodriguez, reports Mundo Deportivo.

The 30-year-old World Cup winner has been on Barcelona’s radars for quite some time now and was also offered to the club back in November.

Guido Rodriguez back on the Barça agenda. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

However, soon after he suffered an injury and the Blaugrana put his name on the backburner and started focusing on Amadou Onana of Everton as a target.

But with the Belgian likely to cost a big sum and Barcelona’s finances being the way they are Rodriguez has emerged as an option again due to the fact that he will be available for free in the summer as his contract with Real Betis expires on June 30.

Napoli also keen

However, Barcelona are not the only club gunning to sign Rodriguez as current Serie A champions, Napoli, are also looking at the Argentine international.

The Partenopei see Guido as a possible replacement for Stanislav Lobotka, who could be on the way out in the summer.

But, as per the report, Barcelona sporting director Deco has the signing of the Argentine midfielder under control if the club do go in that direction.

The idea is that the Catalans will wait until 2025 to make big signings once their finances are resolved and until then, Rodriguez could represent a decent stop-gap solution.