Three positions Barcelona want to reinforce in the summer transfer window – report

With Xavi announcing his decision to step down from his managerial post at the end of the season, Barcelona are set to enter into a new era in the summer of this year.

While the search for a new manager is underway, sporting director Deco is also busy planning the club’s strategy for the summer transfer window, identifying the positions that need to be reinforced and the potential targets for those areas.

As has already been reported and confirmed by both Deco and Barça president Joan Laporta, the idea is to sign both Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo permanently.

Beyond that, Ferran Correas of SPORT is reporting that Barcelona intend to make three more signings to strengthen three positions in particular, although any move would be dictated by the Financial Fair Play situation.

Defensive midfield

As has been well-established by this point, one of the biggest priorities for Barcelona in the summer is to sign a new pivot midfielder. The Oriol Romeu experiment has failed and the Catalans are aware that they need a quality player to replace Sergio Busquets.

Aleix Garcia of Girona is seen as the top target at this point, although other names like Amadou Onana (Everton), Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), and Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United) are also on the shortlist.

Left-wing

Kaoru Mitoma is a person of interest for Barça. (Photo by James Gill/Getty Images)

Along with a defensive midfielder, Barcelona also want to sign a quality left-winger to bolster the squad. Joao Felix and Ferran Torres are not natural wingers and the Catalans are looking for a player who can have a similar impact to what Lamine Yamal is having on the right flank.

Nico Williams was liked but he ended up renewing with Athletic Club. Savinho was another player Deco admired, but he is on his way to Manchester City. Finally, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Kaoru Mitoma is a player that Barça are monitoring as well.

Left-back

Finally, the third position that Barcelona are prioritising strengthening is the left-back slot. It makes complete sense considering that Marcos Alonso is likely to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires, leaving Alejandro Balde as the only option.

The possibility of having Alex Valle, currently on loan at Levante, in the first-team squad is being considered. At the same time, Las Palmas left-back Sergi Cardona is also an option as a free-transfer target.