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After an underwhelming start to the Ronald Koeman era, Barcelona have recovered since the turn of the year and seem like a force to be reckoned with in La Liga. Led by the evergreen Lionel Messi — who came close to leaving the Camp Nou last summer — the Catalan giants are firmly in the title race and will look to pip Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid to the coveted trophy.
As far as transfers go, Messi's future will undoubtedly take center stage after the conclusion of the season. The Argentine great was keen to leave the club last summer, but the situation is believed to have changed in recent months after the arrival of Joan Laporta as club president.
However, to keep hold of Messi, Barcelona might need to sign a handful of world-class players to build a squad that is capable of competing on all fronts.
On that note, here are five players who have been linked with summer moves to the Camp Nou.
#5 Eric Garcia | Manchester City
Reports suggest Eric Garcia has already agreed to swap Manchester City for Barcelona at the end of the season, but the La Liga giants are yet to confirm the transfer. Nevertheless, adding a central defender should be a priority for Koeman this summer, with Gerard Pique not getting any younger and Samuel Umtiti struggling with injuries.
Garcia's arrival on a free transfer could be a massive step in the right direction, with the Spaniard set to return to his boyhood club. He has shown flashes of brilliance under Pep Guardiola and has all the necessary tools to become a top-class central defender.
Along with Oscar Mingueza and Ronald Araujo, Garcia could play a pivotal role in shaping Barcelona's fortunes in the present as well as the future.
#4 Gini Wijnaldum | Liverpool
Another player who has been linked with Barcelona on a free transfer, Gini Wijnaldum is set to leave Liverpool this summer. The experienced midfielder worked with Koeman during his stint with the Netherlands national team and excelled in several positions in the center of the park, as he impressed with his strength, versatility and ability to withstand pressure.
Liverpool have reportedly offered him a new deal, but the 30-year-old is no closer to extending his stay at Anfield as things stand. Barcelona and Inter Milan have been keeping tabs on him since last summer, while Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with an interest.
The former Newcastle midfielder could add some much-needed depth and physicality to Barcelona's midfield if he were to join the club at the end of the season.
Also Read: 5 Premier League stars who could secure big-money moves this summer
#3 Memphis Depay | Olympique Lyonnais
Memphis Depay is the third of four players to have been linked with a free transfer to Barcelona, with his Lyon contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign. Much like his compatriot Gini Wijnaldum, Memphis came close to joining Barcelona last summer. However, the deal failed to materialize and he ended up staying at the Ligue 1 club.
This summer, though, the versatile attacker could finally secure his dream switch to the Camp Nou. Memphis was one of Koeman's go-to players during his stint with the Netherlands, with his ball control, dribbling ability and flair turning heads across Europe.
At the age of 27, the former Manchester United man has matured into a brilliant player and could add another dimension to Barcelona's attack next season.
#2 Sergio Aguero | Manchester City
Due to the financial ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic, it is clear that Barcelona are sounding out free agents to snap them up at the end of the season. Sergio Aguero is no different, with the striker set to depart Manchester City this summer after an extraordinary spell at the Etihad Stadium.
The 32-year-old is one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history and is best pals with Lionel Messi, having first met him when they were teenagers playing for Argentina's youth team. They've forged a lifelong friendship since and could well be set to unite in Spain, as Aguero prepares to spend his twilight years with another big club.
Barcelona should ideally sign a younger striker, but Aguero comes with bags of experience and could get the job done for a year or two.
#1 Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund
Arguably the most envied footballer on the planet currently, Erling Haaland has been linked with a big-money move to Barcelona, amongst other clubs. The teenage striker is the hottest goalscoring talent in Europe and reportedly has a €75 million release clause that kicks in next summer.
However, if Barcelona are to sign him this summer, they will have to match the asking price quoted by Dortmund, which is believed to be in excess of €150 million. Haaland is viewed as someone who can shape a new era, so his potential suitors are not put away by his ludicrous price tag.
The Norwegian striker is wanted by several other clubs, though, so a bidding war could be on the cards this summer.
Also Read: Top 5 highest-scoring duos in the 21st century
