Barcelona plot sensational swoop for Liverpool star and €60m lost son

Tom Weber

Updated: 11 Oct 2023 12:33 BST
5 min read

Xavi, Joan Laporta, Barcelona — © ProShots

Signing a midfielder is one of Xavi's priorities and two of the names Barcelona are linked with will raise eyebrows.

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Though still severely strapped for cash, Barcelona actually had a quite successful summer window. Nevertheless, Xavi feels that his side needs to be strengthened further, particularly in midfield.

While Oriol Romeu has shown himself an adequate replacement for the legendary Sergio Busquets, who departed for Inter Miami to reunite with Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, the former Chelsea midfielder is 32 and, therefore, a short-term solution to a long-term issue.

READ: Romano reveals the truth behind the Messi to Barcelona reports

A new defensive midfielder is at the top of Xavi's shortlist but the linked names don't inspire confidence. Guido Rodriguez and Jorginho are 29 and 31, respectively, while it will be nigh on impossible for the Blaugrana to muster the resources necessary to acquire Joshua Kimmich.

It is further forward where Barcelona are linked with some exciting names.

© ProShots - Dani Olmo (right) and fellow Barca target Xavi Simons

Thiago and Olmo to return?

Despite the need for a holding midfielder, Barcelona are also looking at more attacking options. While Thiago Alcantara can play as a pivot, he does not have the legs anymore to fulfil the defensive demands of that position. However, he still has the vision and creativity to affect the game in the attack.

The Liverpool maestro is out of contract in the summer and given his injury record it would not be surprising to see the Reds cut their losses. According to ESPN, the La Masia product is an option for Barcelona, though his age (32) raises questions.

The Blaugrana are also once again being linked with their lost son Dani Olmo. The attacking midfielder departed for Dinamo Zagreb as a teenager and has since established himself as an excellent creative force at RB Leipzig.

READ: PSG's Xavi Simons set for shock summer move amid Barcelona and Man City interest

Spanish attacker Dani Olmo will join Barcelona in 2024, according to reports in Germany and in Spain 👀 pic.twitter.com/3Ak6eIH6sO
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) October 11, 2023

BILD claims that it is all but certain that the 25-year-old will move to Barcelona in the summer. The Spaniard recently signed a new deal with a €60 million release clause specifically to allow Barcelona to sign him, though the report made no mention of how they will afford to pay that.

After making €240m from sales this summer, Leipzig will only need to rake in about €60m next term to cover the operating expenses for the season and Olmo has been earmarked as the one to deliver that money, claims the German outlet.