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Barcelona's critical financial position means that the days of large transfer fees are gone for now, with the club currently acting in the free agent market.
This was epitomized this summer when the club brought in Memphis Depay, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia without paying money to their respective former clubs.
Although they did spend a fee to buy out their remaining rights to Emerson Royal from Real Betis, they eventually shipped him to Tottenham for a profit.
With the club recently announcing that they have outstanding debts of over €1.3 billion, it looks like their strategy in the transfer market will not change anytime soon.
A few potential free agents can significantly improve Barcelona
Given the situation, Barcelona will try to sign free agents in the summer of 2022 as well and the club do have plenty of talented players to choose from.
The Blaugrana are in desperate need of strengthening their squad after having had a poor start to the 2021-22 campaign. They are currently seventh in La Liga with just four wins in eight league games, while the Catalans have also lost two of their opening three Champions league matches. As such, there are several areas that Barcelona need to strengthen in order to become a competitive outfit once again.
Considering that, we're taking a look at five potential free agents that the club might look to target next summer:
#5 Noussair Mazraoui - Ajax
With Sergio Roberto's future uncertain at Barcelona, the Catalans will be looking for reinforcements at right-back. One player who they can target for free next season is Ajax's Noussair Mazraoui.
The full-back joined Ajax as a nine-year-old back in 2006 before progressing through the ranks at the Dutch club. He made his senior debut for Ajax in 2017 and has grown in stature ever since.
Now the first-choice right-back for Ajax, Mazraoui started the 2021-22 season in fine fashion, with four goals and three assists in 13 appearances across competitions. However, the 23-year-old is in the final year of his contract, putting his long-term future at the club in doubt.
Understandably, Barcelona have been linked with the Moroccan and he would definitely be a perfect fit for the Catalan giants. The full-back has graduated from the Ajax academy, which holds the same philosophy as Barcelona's La Masia. This would help him seamlessly fit in at the Camp Nou and would also suit the club's style of play.
Considering Mazraoui could be available for free next summer, this is an option that Barcelona should definitely look to pursue.
#4 Marcelo Brozovic - Inter Milan
With Barcelona looking to reinforce their midfield after failing to land Georginio Wijnaldum this summer, Inter's Marcelo Brozovic could be the perfect candidate.
Brozovic signed for Inter in January 2015 but spent the next 18 months on loan at Dinamo Zagreb before joining the Nerazzurri in the summer of 2016. Since then, the 28-year-old has been a permanent fixture in the middle of the park for Inter. He has racked up more than 250 appearances for the club, during which he has registered 25 goals and 33 assists.
One of the most reliable central midfielders in Europe, Brozovic also played an integral part in Inter Milan's Serie A title triumph last season. With his contract set to expire next summer, Brozovic has been linked with a potential exit from Inter.
Barcelona have been overly reliant on Frenkie de Jong and Pedri over the past year while they have had to use teenager Gavi regularly this season. This indicates that they could use more quality depth in the middle of the park and Brozovic could certainly fulfill that.
His versatility means he could even be considered a potential long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets in midfield. With a player of Brozovic's quality potentially available for a Bosman transfer, it is too good an opportunity for Barcelona to pass on.
#3 Franck Kessie - AC Milan
Another midfielder who Barcelona could look to sign for free next summer is AC Milan's Franck Kessie.
The Ivorian international has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A since joining the Rossoneri from Atalanta in the summer of 2017. He initially arrived on a two-year loan with an obligation to buy, which helped him seal a permanent transfer in 2019.
The 24-year-old has made 192 appearances, while chipping in with 31 goals and 15 assists so far for the club. He has been a pivotal figure for AC Milan over the last four years, playing a key role in their return to the Champions League. However, with the midfielder's contract expiring next summer, rumors are ripe that he could be on his way out of the club.
Barcelona could certainly be one of the clubs that pursues his signature. With Sergio Busquets not getting any younger, the Milan man could offer some valuable physicality and power in midfield. His arrival will not only improve the overall quality of Barcelona's midfield but will also add some stability and variety.
With a host of Premier League clubs pursuing Kessie, it will be interesting to see whether Barcelona can convince him. Milan are also believed to be desperate to try and lock him down to a new deal, despite contract talks hitting an impasse.
#2 Antonio Rudiger - Chelsea
Antonio Rudiger is currently enjoying the best phase of his Chelsea career, having been completely transformed by Thomas Tuchel after previously being a bit-part player under Frank Lampard. His performances have been so brilliant under Tuchel that he is even regarded by many as one of the best defenders in the Premier League at the moment.
Till date, he has made 159 appearances for the Blues, registering eight goals and three assists during the time. He played a big part in Chelsea's Champions League win last season and has been solid at the back for the Blues.
However, the long-term future of the German international is in doubt as he enters the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge. The club haven't been able to agree a new contract with him yet and as such he could be available on a free next summer.
Barcelona are definitely one of the clubs that could benefit hugely from the 28-year-old's arrival. Clement Lenglet's performances have been fairly questionable while Samuel Umtiti has been frozen out by the club in recent times. Barcelona are clearly in need of a new centre-back as soon as possible, despite the arrival of Eric Garcia in the summer.
With the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich also interested in the defender, it will be interesting to see whether Barcelona will be able to attract him. However, his high wage demands might prove to be a barrier to any potential deal for the club.
#1 Paul Pogba - Manchester United
Having been keen on Paul Pogba in 2016 and 2018, Barcelona now have the chance to sign him on a free transfer, with his contract set to expire next summer.
Pogba rejoined Manchester United from Juventus in the summer of 2016 and has since gone on to have a topsy-turvy time at Old Trafford. The French international, though, has been in fine form in the last few months for club and country.
The 28-year-old has started the new season strongly, having delivered seven assists in six appearances across all competitions so far. However, with Pogba entering the final year of his contract, he is yet to commit to his future at Old Trafford, which has attracted attention from a host of top clubs.
As mentioned earlier, Barcelona are in need of a midfielder, having chosen not to replace Ilaix Moriba or Miralem Pjanic in the first-team setup. The first-choice trio of Busquets, De Jong and Pedri have to shoulder even more burden in the Barcelona midfield this term.
As such, a player of Pogba's caliber is a viable option for Barcelona next summer. His creativity and vision could even add another dimension to Barcelona's midfield which they currently seem to lack.
Pogba has also been touted to join Barcelona's fierce rivals Real Madrid or return to his former club Juventus. The midfielder's future is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
