Signing Sergio Busquets’ successor is turning into a fascinating saga, with news and rumors about the next defensive pivot at FC Barcelona coming every other day. A number of players have already been associated with the club for this role, with some of them being discarded while others continue to remain in the club’s sights.
The club has been considering two players for a significant time now: Zubimendi and Kimmich. According to the latest updates from Javi Miguel of Diario AS, Barcelona head coach, Xavi has asked the club President, Joan Laporta, for a top defensive pivot once again.
Kimmich and Zubimendi are at the top of the priorities list for Xavi. However, the club believes both these targets are almost impossible to sign this summer but still has not completely ruled out going in for them.
Meanwhile, the club executives are aware of the difficulties they will face in getting one of the top midfielders and are trying to come up with other names that can play this role effectively in the next season.
Javi Miguel reports that the future Director of Football at FC Barcelona, Deco, has presented two new names to Xavi, Palhinha, and Luis Fiorentino, who he believes can do the job for Barcelona in the upcoming season. However, the coaching staff has ruled these names out.
These two Portuguese midfielders are both exciting players, with Palhinha currently plying his trade in the Premier League. The 27-year-old player made 35 appearances with the English side Fulham last season, scoring three goals, and is currently valued at €35 million.
Florentino is also an established player with SL Benfica and made 33 appearances for the Portuguese club last season. Still only 23 years old, the player is valued at €20 million.
Keeping in view the club’s finances, going fully in for either Kimmich or Zubimendi and completely discarding these options like Palhinha and Florentino does not seem like a wise move for the club. Still, there is a significant time left till the next season starts, and hopefully, Barcelona would be able to get a top-level defensive pivot in the squad for next season.
