FC Barcelona have become encompassed in the quest to acquire the best players possible while simultaneously tending to their rather fragile economic situation, which limits their spending and consequently, the players who they can even possibly pursue.
The Catalans have thus far managed to acquire the likes of both Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez from Manchester City and Athletic Bilbao respectively, as free transfers following the conclusions of their contract with their own English and Spanish clubs individually.
Moreover, the official announcements and unveilings of both players have been completed by FC Barcelona themselves, as the Catalans now can focus on registering both players for the upcoming season and even get to utilize their talents during the upcoming pre-season tour of the United States of America, set to kick off with the first game against Juventus on the 22nd of July.
Spanish journalist Javi Miguel of Diario AS has recently reported however, that the 32-year-old German midfielder will be set to partake in the team’s training sessions for the first time on the 18th of July, 2023, just 4 days prior to the first game against Juventus at the Levi’s Stadium in California.
By most expectations, this date comes as a surprise given that many expected Gundogan to take part in training sessions with the team well before the newly updated date given by Javi Miguel. Now, it would certainly raise questions as to just how well Xavi Hernandez is able to integrate the German midfielder within the team in such a short time span.
Following the game against Juventus on the 22nd, Barcelona will then go on to face three more opponents in the form of Arsenal, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, with the tour set to conclude on the 1st of August when Barcelona finish up their game against the Italian outfit.
