New Barcelona boss Flick faces tough transfer decision amid defender chaos

Tom Weber

Updated: 31 May 2024 16:26 BST
4 min read

Hansi Flick faces some tough transfer decisions over Barcelona's many centre-backs, according to Spanish media.

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The new Barcelona boss is already thinking about summer transfers together with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco. There are several areas of the squad the German wants to strengthen, with midfield being one of them.

However, after essentially being told to forget about signing his former Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich because he is a 'problematic' presence in the dressing room, Flick and the Blaugrana chiefs have had to move to other targets.

The big problem, of course, is that they don't really have money to spend. Indeed, such are their financial problems that Barcelona are yet to officially register Flick and his staff with LaLiga because, well, they simply can't right now.

Players will have to be sold first and one area where the Catalans are well-stocked is the centre-back department.

Flick to decide stars' fates

It seems the only Barcelona centre-back whose future is already decided is wonderkid Pau Cubarsi, who is not for sale after his stunning performances in the second half of the season.

All the other players, however, appear to be fair game. Indeed, Ronald Aurajo continues to be linked with an exit and it is being claimed that Thomas Tuchel could try to sign him should he land the Man Utd job, having wanted to land him for Bayern in January.

FootballTransfers has exclusively revealed that Barcelona are willing to cash in on Jules Kounde for €50 million this summer and that Man Utd hold a concrete interest in the Frenchman.

Now, MARCA claims that Flick essentially has to choose regarding the fates of Eric Garcia and Inigo Martinez, with the coach told to pick between one over the course of pre-season. Garcia impressed on loan at Champions League-bound Girona last season, while Martinez barely featured after arriving on a free transfer from Athletic Club in the summer.

Clement Lenglet, Mika Faye and Andreas Christensen are also on the books in Catalunya, though the latter's future may lie in defensive midfield. Lenglet is expected to depart the club after several loans, while it is still unclear what the plan for Faye is.