Barcelona demands success at a constant level, and those demands are what keep the club relevant. Among the greats of European football, FC Barcelona continues to aspire for great achievements and an enviable progression.
However, to meet these objectives, the right personnel has to be deployed as well. Xavi Hernandez remains certain that his team needs more reinforcements in order to stay consistent with the objectives he has been tasked with to achieve.
According to the coach, reportedly, every single position in the team needs at least two reliable players. However, given the economic issues faced by Barcelona, he has had to prioritize certain positions over others. These prioritized positions include the fullbacks, a new pivot, and an additional interior in midfield.
As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona and Xavi have designated plans for each of these positions. In terms of signings involving significant finances, Barcelona are focusing on the arrival of Vitor Roque.
The 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy has already been officially revealed as a Barça player and it is only a matter of time before he arrives in Catalonia.
Right-back concerns
In terms of the fullbacks, Xavi wants an additional player on both flanks. In terms of a specialist right-back, Barcelona only possess the services of Joao Cancelo on loan. However, SPORT believes that Barcelona are intent on making his signing permanent despite already knowing the cost will go beyond the €20 million mark.
Other options include Sergino Dest, currently on loan at Dutch side PSV. However, his quality is still questioned at Barcelona and if he is even a player of the caliber that Barça needs. Sergi Roberto, who was providing backup this season, is expected to leave at the end of the ongoing campaign.
The Left-back
For the left-back position, Barcelona primarily rely on Alejandro Balde. They have had to utilize his backup, Marcos Alonso, very rarely this season. However, a name that is being highlighted as having many suitors within the Barcelona first-team camp is that of Alex Valle.
A Barcelona product, the young 19-year-old fullback is currently on loan at Levante UD. Playing in the Segunda Division, he is expected to return to Barça at the end of this season.
His incorporation could bring in some much-needed new blood into the flanks of the defense and could prove himself to be great competition for Alejandro Balde to overcome.
Quality Pivot
A pivot is also something that Xavi believes is crucial for his Barcelona. Oriol Romeu ended up becoming the chosen one for the role this past summer window. Arriving for a fee in the region of €3 million, the Spaniard returned home from Girona and has been performing well enough since.
However, Barcelona and Xavi still believe a jump in quality is needed. Names like Joshua Kimmich continue to circulate, but the price tag attached is too much for Barcelona. On the other hand, upcoming names such as Arthur Vermeeren seem to be getting serious traction.
New Interior
Lastly, the concern of involving a new interior within the team. As Xavi remains adamant about occasionally using his four-man midfield system, more natural interiors are needed. The likes of Fermin Lopez or even Joao Felix are great options to utilize within that system somehow.
However, Felix is not a permanent player either. Set to return to Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2024 unless Barcelona buy him permanently, his stay at the Catalan club has thus far been quite fruitful for both parties.
Despite the good intentions, his reported valuation of €80 million set by Atletico Madrid continues to throw Barcelona off unless a significantly decreased final price can be settled.