FC Barcelona have already identified their primary vulnerabilities and what exact positions need to be assessed for next season, with the vacant pivot position determined to be the one that needed the utmost attention and priority.
For years, the Catalan club had no worries in regard to that position courtesy of the consistency and quality of Barcelona legend and captain Sergio Busquets. A pillar of the glory days of La Blaugrana, now that his departure is imminent, the club had shortlisted a number of candidates to take over in his stead.
And now, once the progression of certain operations has begun to clear, SPORT reports that Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad, who has long since been speculated to be Xavi’s ideal candidate, is now contested by those at Barcelona themselves.
Some of those at the club continue to consider him the best stylistic choice, while others and especially newer additions to the Board, namely Deco, consider his signing to have more cons than were previously considered.
According to the report, Deco and co consider that betting too much on Zubimendi could be a very big risk that the Catalan club, currently in a dire economic situation, should not be taking so carelessly.
One of the contentions against his signing is that his tender age of 24 is too inexperienced to be one to take over the responsibilities once mastered by Sergio Busquets, given that the pivot role is one of vital importance to Barcelona and any inconsistencies within it could potentially be disastrous for Barca.
Moreover, another argument against his signing is the massive financial sacrifice it would take. The player’s release clause is set at €60 million, a figure that if Barcelona were to pursue, would be quite them to forego several other players on their wish list who would otherwise be feasible for the club.
For now, the decision remains that Barcelona will first look to complete signings that are more feasible and adjustable according to financial fair play, and once all those have been settled, only then will they consider if Zubimendi still remains a solid option and one that is feasible.
