- The Barcelona club has set Mazraoui (Ajax), Christensen (Chelsea), Azpilicueta (Chelsea) and Gayá (Valencia) as targets
- The first two contracts end and Christensen is on track, Azpilicueta hopes that Chelsea will not retain him and Gayá ends in 2023 and does not renew
FC Barcelona is working at full capacity already ahead of the summer market. And the line in which he is putting more effort is the defense. The Barca defense has obvious shortcomings and holes. For example, on the sides. Also, along the axis it needs to be renovated because there are some older players and some who count little for Xavi, each one for a different reason. In any case, what is clear is that Barcelona is working to shore up its defensive line, with Mateu Alemany, the director of football, and Jordi Cruyff combing the market and making the necessary arrangements. And what is more important: with the intention of spending very little money. In fact, three of the four targets may arrive as free agents.
Mazraoui (Ajax) likes it a lot
On the right side there is a player who likes a lot and for whom movements have already been made. Noussair Mazraoui (24 years old), Ajax Lane, is in pole position for the Barcelona coaches. Because his contract is ending, because he is young, because he already has experience in top competition and because his technical and tactical characteristics are very popular.
There have already been contacts with his agent, Mino Raiola, and there is optimism at the club. It is necessary to reinforce the area because Alves is 38 years old and his contract ends in June and Sergi Roberto has it difficult to continue, given that although Xavi likes him, in the technical area he does not think the same.
Centrals will come out
In the axis of defense there are also needs. Gerard Piqué is 35 years old and although he has a contract until 2024, his age advises looking for a quality replacement. Meanwhile, with Clement Lenglet little is counted and he points to sale in the summer, while Umtiti renewed until 2026 to help the club at the salary ‘fair play’ level, but with a bilateral exit clause that Barcelona seriously considers executing.
Azpilicueta (Chelsea) like it a lot
In this context, Barcelona has launched itself for two central defenders from Chelsea. César Azpilicueta (32), whose contract ends in June, can be renewed unilaterally by his club for one more year, but Barcelona has almost convinced the player to ask to leave for free, by virtue of his impeccable performance during the ten years who has played at Stamford Bridge. At the Camp Nou they offer him two years and an optional one.
Christensen prefers Barcelona
Meanwhile, Andreas Christensen (25 years old) also likes him a lot because of his quality and because he is also ending his contract. Barcelona has also moved for him and competes for his signing with Bayern, although as MD learned, the Dane prefers to play at the Camp Nou if he leaves Stamford Bridge, as it seems will happen. At Barcelona they are very optimistic about signing him.
Gayá, to prop up the left
Meanwhile, on the left there is a clear hole, since Jordi Alba has no clear substitute. In this sense, Barcelona’s main objective is José Luis Gayá (26 years old). He does not end his contract this summer but in 2023, but he is not in the business of renewing and wants to grow at a sporting level. Barcelona gives him that opportunity and the only thing that is holding him back is the competition with Alba. Mateo Alemany knows him well from Valencia. His club knows that either he sells him this summer for something (10-12 million) or he can see him leave for free in 2023, something that Gayá would not want either given that he would like to report some benefit to his club. In the bedroom are the benfiquista Grimaldo (26 years old) and the ‘ajacied’ Tagliafico (29), who played in the last winter market and whose contract also ends in 2023.
