Barcelona set a budget of €35-40 million for a new pivot midfielder for the summer

With the January transfer window almost out of the way, the focus will soon shift to the summer, which is when Barcelona will be aiming to do important business to strengthen the team.

Xavi’s decision to leave at the end of the season does make things tricky as the new manager who would replace him might not be involved in the initial stages of planning and identifying targets.

But, led by sporting director Deco, Barcelona are already chalking out plans for the summer, with the signing of a new pivot midfielder being seen as the absolute priority, reports SPORT.

Barcelona set a budget for pivot midfielder

Barcelona director Deco is aware that in the summer there will still be many financial and fair play constraints. But considering the departure of Sergio Busquets and the failed gamble of Oriol Romeu, he is clear that the team needs a defensive midfielder.

Barça are clear that, regardless of what happens with loan signings Joao Cancelo and Joao Félix, reinforcing the squad with a pivot midfielder is a priority.

Hence, it is clear that a significant part of the cash available will be earmarked for the signing of a defensive midfielder.

A crucial summer awaits Barcelona. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

As such, the club, presided over by Joan, Laporta estimate an investment of €35-40 million to reinforce themselves with a proven pivot. While the figure is likely to fluctuate, at this point, €40 million is seen as the upper limit for the team is short on cash and battling FFP issues.

Furthermore, whoever arrives would have to accept a long-term contract at Barcelona so that the impact on the Fair Play margin is as small as possible.

Numerous targets possibly out of reach

Over the past months, Barcelona have been credited with an interest in several pivot midfielders for the summer.

Names such as Joshua Kimmich, Amadou Onana, Bruno Guimaraes, Mats Wieffer, and Andre have been linked with a move to Barcelona.

But, most of them, if not all, would command a transfer fee around or in excess of €50 million, which would put them out of the Catalans’ reach.