Barcelona gearing up for a busy summer
With La Liga all but sewn up, there is the small matter of the Champions League to contend with before any new faces can enter the Camp Nou.
However,that does not mean the Barca hierarchy are not busy behind the scenes aiming to get a head start on their rivals for next season.
Rumours of incomings and outgoings are rife, and as the Spanish giants look to retain their tag as favourite with sportsbooks for the 2019/20 campaign, it means there are plenty of opportunities for punters to get some great deals on the Blaugrana with a host of betting promos that are too good to ignore.
So, who are the names being linked with a move to the Catalan club and who may be heading for the exit door this summer?
In – Isaac Lihadji – Marseille
16-year-old French youth international has the world at his feet as well as a host of top clubs looking to sign him up this summer.
Rumours claim that Manchester United are also interested in the right-winger after some incredible performances at youth level have the teenager marked out as a future star.
Lihadji’s youth contract comes to an end in 2020 and although current club Marseille are trying to tie him into a deal with the club, with the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United courting him, it is likely his agent will advise him to sign nothing with the French club.
Lihadji’s agent happens to be the same as Ousmane Dembele’s which firmly puts Barca at the front of the queue.
Out – Ivan Rakitic
Barcelona’s relatively ling serving midfielder Ivan Rakitic looks like he will be leaving the club this summer despite claiming he would be keen on staying.
However, Barca are considering moving the 31-year-old on and two clubs appear to be in the running for his signature: Juventus and Manchester United (yep them again).
It is claimed that behind the scenes the Croatian World Cup finalist would prefer a move to the Turin giants and has okayed a move if a deal can be done with the Red Devils of Manchester United set to lose out again.
In – Marcelo Brozovic – Inter Milan
Barcelona’s dealings this summer seem to rely heavily on whether Rakitic goes or stays.
If he does go, then his International team-mate Marcelo Brozovic is hot on the Barca radar as an immediate replacement.
The Inter Milan midfielder is not afraid to do the ‘dirty work’ in the heart of the midfield as he has been doing for Inter all season and at 26 is five years his compatriot’s junior.
In – Frenkie de Jong – Ajax
Not a rumour this signing but already a done deal.
Barca paid a reported €75 million fee for the hugely talented 21-year-old Ajax midfielder with the transfer becoming permanent on the 1st July.
De Jong has excelled this season and been the standout player for the Dutch heavyweights not just domestically, but also by playing a starring role in de Godenzonen’s run to the latter stages of the Champions League.