Owing to the currently weak financial situation of FC Barcelona, the club has been rather shrewd in the last few transfer windows, as it bets mainly on high-quality free agents or players with a low-price tag.
While the club has also made a few splurges, its best pieces of business in recent years have been those which involved only a minimal fee or those that came entirely free.
According to a report from SPORT, the club will rely on this tested strategy again this summer as it eyes a veteran player whom they can get at a low price. The player in question is Sergi Darder, who is currently owned by Barcelona’s cross-city rivals, RCD Espanyol.
However, as Espanyol have been relegated to Segunda Division this season, the player is open to joining another side on loan.
Keeping in view the quality of the player, this is a good opportunity for clubs to get a highly experienced and proficient player on cheap. Thus, Barcelona have also made an inquiry about the player from his entourage a couple of weeks ago.
Furthermore, a recent report from SPORT claims that Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez himself has been in contact with the player to convince him for a move to Camp Nou. He explained to the player the role he would play in the team if this transfer materializes, i.e., rotation with Pedri and Gavi, and being their replacement when one of them is injured or fatigued.
Xavi also believes Darder’s experience would come in handy as his squad is mostly composed of younger players. The Espanyol midfielder will also help in the attacking half of the pitch, as he scored six goals and gave four assists in his last season.
However, the main priority for Barcelona remains Ilkay Gundogan, who is close to Barcelona, but nothing is confirmed as yet, and there are chances that the German can also sign an extension with Manchester City.
Signing Darder is not very simple either, as the player has been a committed player for Espanyol, in his roles both on and off the pitch. He fears that a move to Espanyol’s most fierce rivals will result in a breakdown of his relationship with Espanyol and its fans.
Still, he wants to continue playing in Spain and will have to move to a new club as a player of his quality is unlikely to play in the Segunda. Thus, he will have many offers, but might not get another chance to join a club as great as FC Barcelona as he is already 29 years old.
