Having seen your other posts here regarding free transfers, this might as well be a recommendation from your side.Chupo-Moting and Jonjo Shelvey are Free...
Barca Transfers and Rumors
- Thread starter FCBfan22
- Start date
Messi983
Senior Member
I'll give you one name - Rashford. Not that I want us to sign him, at least permanently for big money, would take him on loan with United covering most of his wages for rest of this season though.
But it's not my job to give you a list of potential candidates, that's up to our scouts and Deco but we can't say Marmoush is the only versatile forward in the whole world. Frankfurt also found him somewhere and surely will again sign someone to replace him like they did when they sold RKM (we see how he's doing at PSG though so should always have buyers beware with strikers from BuLi).
And second, I don't think we should look for a player who can play three positions. Versatility is good and all but that's how you usually end up with (mostly) expensive bench players like Ferran who can also play everywhere but is not good enough to even challenge any of the starters at any position. You don't pay big bucks for players without having a clear role/position they will play in mind. You can do that with cheap squad players like Pau Victor (who BTW should be given more minutes imo) but not with 60-70m signings.
Obviously players's positions can change in time IF they are team players and willing to adapt. We had arguably the best striker in the world at that time (Henry) playing as a winger. And later the best Spanish striker (Villa) too. Or Masche who was a great DM turned into a CB. All these elite players were putting the team ahead of their own interests. That's the type of players I always want to have in my team. Raphinha and Kounde are pretty good examples in current team tbf.
So instead of looking at versatility we should focus on finding players who can become a starter at one position. And right now that position is obviously a striker. Is Marmoush that player? If your answer is yes then we should consider him (theoretically speaking, in reality he'll sign with City soon). If not then we should look for different options. In other words if he can't replace Lewy long term then he would be just another expensive bench player - Yes, probably upgrade over Ferran (but we should be able to find cheaper players for that role) but not someone we should sign in current financial situation - because there is no way anyone will bench Yamal nor Raphinha for the next 2-3 years as long as he keeps up his form.
FCBarca
Mike the Knife
FCBarca
Mike the Knife
As I mentioned previously, Rashford could be an interesting option on a short term basis - apparently all that is needed from FFP standpoint is one of the above transactions to be completed
A motivated player to show his worth is a great scenario for Barca, especially since we lack depth on the wings and Marcus can score goals - he clearly would add something we don't have atm. But, it's a not light switch you can turn on/off when he has been far from in form for some time now. Worth a punt since I only have eyes for Nico in June
Not long ago, many were heading for the nearest cliff, cules should be giddy, not just for now but what lies ahead - there is so much to look forward to if managed well
A motivated player to show his worth is a great scenario for Barca, especially since we lack depth on the wings and Marcus can score goals - he clearly would add something we don't have atm. But, it's a not light switch you can turn on/off when he has been far from in form for some time now. Worth a punt since I only have eyes for Nico in June
Not long ago, many were heading for the nearest cliff, cules should be giddy, not just for now but what lies ahead - there is so much to look forward to if managed well
TheStig
Member
That's a dangerous game considering all of our stupid decisions in the past and present. It not impossible Deco/Laporta agree to a mandatory buyout in the summer or maybe he even scores a few goals which could mean the club will want to buy him instead of real players. It's better he goes somewhere else so that danger doesn't exist.
If it would be possible to get him on a part of his wage for this 6 months than he can replace Fati as a rotational piece but it's not that simple.
If it would be possible to get him on a part of his wage for this 6 months than he can replace Fati as a rotational piece but it's not that simple.
FCBfan22
Senior Member
So first thing is first, we absolutely need to offload FDJ and Fati. Those two eat masses of salary and their sale (or giving them away) would benefit us greatly.
Now, the way I see things we need 3 players. A fullback, a winger and a striker. The midfield is set at this point with Bernal coming back and we are signing Tah for CB.
The fullback we chose needs to be able to play both LB and RB. He must not be a one way player but an overall great fullback. No one way players like Trent. In terms of quality he needs to be able to bench Balde if he is in bad form
The winger we choose needs to accept the bench role, however he would still get plenty of minutes. Needs to be quick and good in link up. His preferred position should be on the left as both Lamine and Rapha play RW. The ability to play striker sometimes earns some bonus points, but it's not a must.
Now, the ST. We need a youngster, who can play 25/26 season 50-50 in terms of minutes with Lewa. We ain't binning the Tractor in the summer, so we might as well get a youngster to learn a thing or 2 from him. If he outperforms Tractor, he gets more and more minutes.
Šeško, Nico and a fullback would be doable for around 140 million IMO. Add 30 million and you can replace either Nico or Šeško with Leao or Gyokeres.
Ideally we ship out Snowman too, but that has even less chance of happening than Lewa leaving in the summer.
Now, the way I see things we need 3 players. A fullback, a winger and a striker. The midfield is set at this point with Bernal coming back and we are signing Tah for CB.
The fullback we chose needs to be able to play both LB and RB. He must not be a one way player but an overall great fullback. No one way players like Trent. In terms of quality he needs to be able to bench Balde if he is in bad form
The winger we choose needs to accept the bench role, however he would still get plenty of minutes. Needs to be quick and good in link up. His preferred position should be on the left as both Lamine and Rapha play RW. The ability to play striker sometimes earns some bonus points, but it's not a must.
Now, the ST. We need a youngster, who can play 25/26 season 50-50 in terms of minutes with Lewa. We ain't binning the Tractor in the summer, so we might as well get a youngster to learn a thing or 2 from him. If he outperforms Tractor, he gets more and more minutes.
Šeško, Nico and a fullback would be doable for around 140 million IMO. Add 30 million and you can replace either Nico or Šeško with Leao or Gyokeres.
Ideally we ship out Snowman too, but that has even less chance of happening than Lewa leaving in the summer.
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khaled_a_d
Senior Member
Good post.
But may I add we need a CB?
Eric has one foot out of the club, he can go and be a starter on a team competing for top 4 spot, he has one year left. Inigo isn't staying beyond next season, and he has offers in Arabia he might consider, Christensen is also on the last year of contract and we don't know about his health, and we all know about Araujo situation. Tah seems like favourite option.
Striker is interesting one, I don't like the idea of a young one to play behind Lewa, but rather someone who can kick him out of the starting lineup. Sesko is interesting depending on the price tag.
I don't know what is in Lewandowski's mind, he is enjoying Barcelona and offered to extend for free last summer (by distribution of his salary on extra year) and honestly, if this offer is still on the table next summer it could open things for us to afford a new no9. But will Lewa accept doing this to sign someone whom we hope will make him a bench player? That would be perfect, but unlikely.
FCBarca
Mike the Knife
The Eric vs Andreas one is something to weigh carefully, IMHO
Most would agree the Dane is a better overall player currently, versatile and a leader but I also think Eric is in that category although less experienced despite his very strong Masia foundation
Both on contracts through '26 and Andreas has 50% higher wage at 9M gross annually. Eric would be easier/quicker and more willing to accept an exit if he is not counted on rather than for FFP reasons since he's still quality depth
Andreas? He does not leave me the impression of a player to move willingly and one of them will have to with the pending arrival of Tah, irrespective of Araujo's status - Pau, Inigo, Ron, Eric, Andreas, Tah + Koundé if need, or the B team assets. There will have to be at least 1 of them in terms of squad, overall wage structure and youth integration but perhaps club sees both needing to exit
I also respect Andreas' value in the squad and hope he is returning to the pitch soon, a quality player and professional. He's a big salary slot to just be deep depth that will barely play
As we have apprecicated for some time now, Masia is the bedrock of the club and few can fight for the shirt like they can - all things not even being 100% equal, I keep Eric for the leadership, versatility and Masia factor. But then again maybe the player simply wants to express his qualities on the pitch, even if it has to be elsewhere
So there is a scenario where Araujo could continue, even with Tah but his wages would have to be comensurate to his level/importance in the squad
As for a Forward, I am quite enamoured with Jhon Durán
Most would agree the Dane is a better overall player currently, versatile and a leader but I also think Eric is in that category although less experienced despite his very strong Masia foundation
Both on contracts through '26 and Andreas has 50% higher wage at 9M gross annually. Eric would be easier/quicker and more willing to accept an exit if he is not counted on rather than for FFP reasons since he's still quality depth
Andreas? He does not leave me the impression of a player to move willingly and one of them will have to with the pending arrival of Tah, irrespective of Araujo's status - Pau, Inigo, Ron, Eric, Andreas, Tah + Koundé if need, or the B team assets. There will have to be at least 1 of them in terms of squad, overall wage structure and youth integration but perhaps club sees both needing to exit
I also respect Andreas' value in the squad and hope he is returning to the pitch soon, a quality player and professional. He's a big salary slot to just be deep depth that will barely play
As we have apprecicated for some time now, Masia is the bedrock of the club and few can fight for the shirt like they can - all things not even being 100% equal, I keep Eric for the leadership, versatility and Masia factor. But then again maybe the player simply wants to express his qualities on the pitch, even if it has to be elsewhere
So there is a scenario where Araujo could continue, even with Tah but his wages would have to be comensurate to his level/importance in the squad
As for a Forward, I am quite enamoured with Jhon Durán
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Youngster, didn't we already have that with brazilian dude now stinkin it up at Betis?
You don't buy young strikers unless they're the Haaland type.
FCBfan22
Senior Member
I agree. My post was made with assumption that we are getting Tah.
Regarding Lewa, if he desperatly wants to stay, he should accept a major wage reduction and a bench role beyond the end of 2025.
khaled_a_d
Senior Member
I mean, it seems Eric wants that. His career won't progress as a backup. Veterans usually are more capable of keeping form as backup than a young player who needs development.
I don't rate Eric as high as you, but I can't deny that atm he proved himself as a starter in a top 4 team in La Liga, and he has a market for that. That's better than 5th option CB or 3rd option CDM in Barcelona. It is a relationship that ran its course IMHO.
At the moment, there is endless variables regarding this position. We have 5 CB in the squad, with Kounde as someone who can cover it. But 4 has expiring contract in 2026. We also has several talented ones in the academy, but none of them seems ready.
soul24rage
Senior Member
This is the way that it should be.
Look at La Masia first and trust the talents there rather than recklessly spending huge money from another club.
The club's best players in history came from La Masia and we should trust the process.
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