Who are some affordable transfer targets for Barcelona this summer?

Suraj Radia

• 8 Mar 2023 10:36 CST
• 3 min read

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed the club’s priorities in the upcoming transfer window, while also admitting that sales may need to happen first.

The Catalan outfit have been told by La Liga that they will need to raise €200 million in transfer fees before being allowed to sign new players due to the club’s precarious financial situation.

“We have to sign one right back, also one centre back depending on the opportunities, for sure one more striker too but probably we have to sell someone,” Laporta said before adding “I’m not sure we need a new midfielder, we have a great midfield”.

OUTGOINGS: Who can Barca sell to raise €200m?

With the club already on the back foot in terms of spending, Barca’s best options will likely be free agents such as the deals which saw Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie arrive last summer.

However, the club will push to sell fringe players with value and it appears likely that at least one of Barca’s current attacking core will leave in the summer.

What realistic moves could Barcelona make in the transfer market?

Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele have played the most minutes of any of Barca’s wide players, with Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres being used as rotation options.

While Torres has been the least productive of Barca’s attackers, Fati appears to be the most likely to be sold due to his injury issues and disappointing progress, with Manchester United and Arsenal among the sides interested.

Barca are close to agreeing a deal to sign Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque for €40m and the 18-year-old’s price tag means he should feature heavily, further putting Fati’s future in doubt.

INCOMING: Roque set to join Barca

The outlay on Roque could mean even less money to spend, leaving Barca to turn to the bargain bin, although there are a number of interesting candidates available this summer.

An intriguing option could be Roberto Firmino, who has already confirmed he will leave Liverpool on a free at the end of the season, representing good value on a forward proven at the top level and who can offer effective competition to Robert Lewandowski up top.

Barca have held a long-term interest in Diogo Dalot to solve their right-back issues but he is likely to sign a new deal at Man Utd, however a solution could come from the other side of Manchester in Joao Cancelo.

Bayern Munich are unlikely to take up the £70m option to turn Cancelo’s loan into a permanent deal and, with the Portuguese international out of favour with Pep Guardiola, City could sanction another temporary deal if there is the potential for a fee down the line.

The final of Laporta’s three targets is a left centre-back and Inigo Martinez of Atheltic Bilbao has already been approached on a bosman move, although his salary may prove too expensive, paving the way for a cheaper alternative in Frankfurt’s Evan N’Dicka, who will also be available on a free.

While Laporta is happy with Barca’s midfield, the likes of Youri Tielemans and Naby Keita will also be free in the summer, meaning there are options available if Frenkie de Jong is sold for a big fee, with United and Chelsea interested.