One of the most clear deficiencies in the current FC Barcelona squad is the lack of a midfield pivot. The club has not been able to properly replace Sergio Busquets, as Oriol Romeu has not been able to retain his position in the starting eleven after an underwhelming start of the season.
As a result, one of the main objectives for Barcelona in the coming summer transfer window will be to address this weakness, and several names have already been linked to the Blaugranes in this regard.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalans probed the market to address this weakness in their squad and made an approach for the Almeria midfielder Dion Lopy. While a formal offer was not made because of the FFP limits imposed by La Liga, the player still remains in Barcelona’s orbit.
In addition to Barcelona, two German clubs, Freiburg and Eintracht Frankfurt, also approached Almeria for the midfielder, and offered as much as €15 million for him.
Now, with the winter transfer market closed, Almeria are already planning to maximize their benefit from the midfielder. The club understands that it will be very difficult to retain Lopy, especially if Almeria is unable to avoid relegation this season.
Lopy has a €40 million release clause in his Almeria contract, while 20% of any fee paid for him will have to be transferred to Stade de Reims, from whom the La Liga side bought the midfielder for €6.5 million fixed, and another €3.5 million in variables.
For the coming summer, Almeria believe the two German clubs will return once again for the midfielder, and they will also be joined by a Premier League club in this pursuit.
For now, the player is still in Barcelona’s orbit, but with their strained finances, the Catalans will be unable to sign a player of his value without selling some of their existing players.
