As July beckons, La Liga transfer news is intensifying and much of it seems to be centring on Catalonia.
And now, at last, there are appears to have been a breakthrough.
For a club which was in financial disarray less than a year ago and is now still seemingly in a difficult position, it appears one departure from the payroll could get things moving.
After much speculation, it is reported Frenkie de Jong is open to joining Manchester United.
In a significant development in Erik ten Hag’s pursuit of the midfielder, it is understood the 25-year-old midfielder is minded to sign and re-join Ten Hag after working under the Dutchman at Ajax.
Barcelona reportedly need the transfer fee which would also free up some room with salaries and allow them to go for the signings that their manager, Xavi Hernandez, has asked for.
It has been suggested that, should he stay at Barca, de Jong’s contract would increase next season as he is set to receive around 20 million euros for the deferred payments that he had pending. The club could be keen to avoid that.
Either way, Barcelona certainly can’t afford another failed transfer window and may need more than the club’s history and president Joan Laporta’s promises in its bid to convince players to sign this summer.
It is easy to forget that, last summer, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba all reduced or deferred their salaries in order to help register Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay.
It is also an open secret that Milan midfielder Franck Kessie and Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen will be joining them but, over a month after last season concluded, they have yet to be formally announced. Part of the reason is that Barcelona want to close out its financial year, which ends today (June 30), without adding any expenses.
According to one media outlet, changes are being made to the contracts of both players with ‘small adjustments’ to fit in better with financial fair play and more pertinently, the La Liga salary limit.
And then there’s Robert Lewandowski’s potential move which is already threatening to drag on with the Polish international seemingly keen to join the Catalans, but Bayern Munich not willing to allow him depart.
All in all, nothing seems straightforward nor gives the impression of a club with stability.
Another English club could also help ease the club’s wage structure too with Tottenham close to reaching an agreement for a season-long loan signing of Clement Lenglet.
Barcelona currently have seven centre-backs – Pique, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Lenglet, Oscar Mingueza, Samuel Umtiti and, to be confirmed, Christensen – and would ideally like to wrap up the deal before next Monday when Lenglet is due to report for training.
In addition, manager Xavi wants Jules Kounde to sign in the summer.
The next few days could be key as it seems players have to leave if summer plans are to really gather pace as the club would like the footballing world to think.
Barcelona can, at least, take heart from the fact other big clubs are struggling.
The side which is third favourites with the SBOTOP La Liga 2022 betting odds for next season, Atletico Madrid, have been unable to register their first signing of the summer, Axel Witsel.
Reportedly that is because Los Rojiblancos have exceeded their salary limit by €100 million and so are unable to register the veteran Belgian midfielder, despite him being a free agent after the expiry of his contract with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.
Aside from their wage bill, Atletico have already admitted that they need to generate sales of €40m no matter what to be able to reinvest in their playing squad this summer transfer window.
One way to reduce the wage bill could be by parting ways with Antoine Griezmann, currently on loan at the Wanda Metropolitano from Barcelona.
Yet a return to the Nou Camp for a player who has provided so many La Liga 2022 highlights seems out of the question and it has now emerged they have officially asked Barcelona to extend his loan for a second season.
That news will presumably be greeted gleefully in Catalonia as Atletico will now have to purchase Griezmann for a fee at the end of the loan, provided he plays 50% of the matches he was available for over the two seasons.
Although it is a risk to be investing in both the fee and the salary in a 31-year-old, if Diego Simeone can inspire the best version of Griezmann then Atleti will receive a jump in quality.It’s fair to say a big summer awaits them, just as much as Barcelona.
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