The financial circumstances of FC Barcelona currently restrict them from pursuing the superstars of world football. Given the extreme price tags typically involved, it is ultimately perhaps for the better. However, it does also force Barcelona to find more creative ways to improve their squad every summer.
One of the ways in which the Catalan giants have continued to restructure and upgrade their team is through the signings of free agents. The likes of the now-transferred Ilkay Gundogan, Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez, Memphis Depay, and certain other players have been examples of Barcelona going along this path.
However, with the winter transfer window also still to come into play and then next summer’s transfer window to also look forward to, Barcelona must begin planning immediately if they hope to excel in operations before other more financially-capable teams begin to enter the same race as well.
That is why Mundo Deportivo has compiled a list of free agents that Barcelona could take a look into. This includes players who formerly have played for Barça as well as other options that could provide some reliable short-term solutions to avoid any lack of depth in case of an untimely injury.
Former Barcelona players:
The likes of Thiago Alcantara’s brother Rafinha, Andre Gomes, Memphis Depay, Miralem Pjanic, and Marlon are all options currently available as free agents on the market that have experience with Barcelona in the past as well. While some certainly have more of a connection with the Catalan club than others, most of them at least have an idea regarding what it is like to play for the first team.
Available defenders:
Given how young Pau Cubarsi is and the relatively injury-prone backline that Barcelona has, it would not hurt to look into available defensive free agents as well. Serge Aurier, Cedric Soares, Joel Matip, and Simon Kjaer are all options that are currently available as free agents and are players who have European experience. While they may not exactly be world class recruits, these players do offer good depth if needed.
European veterans:
Others on the list include both forwards and midfielders with experience in Europe as well. Anthony Martial, Wissam Ben Yedder, Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting, Ivan Perisic, and Dele Alli are all available options as well. Some of these players have a personal experience with Hansi Flick at Bayern Munich as well, so it may be worth considering if La Blaugrana need any immediate injection of offensive or creative depth during January.
