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Although Barcelona were criticized for being lack-lustre in the summer transfer window, the Catalans managed to include a few promising young guns to boost their squad depth.
However, to the frustration of Ernesto Valverde, some of the big names at the Catalan club are yet to perform to their capacity.
Serie A has a reputation in Europe for being one of the most competitive leagues. The Italian first flight has a plethora of young stars to boast off and Barcelona would certainly be keen to grab some of their starlets. Let's have a look at 5 Seria A stars that could possibly add a spark to the Catalan squad:
#5 Miralem Pjanic (Juventus)
One of the most pivotal players in Juventus, Pjanic's move to the Italian giants from Roma took some instrumentation for perfect results, but ever since, the midfielder has proved his mettle in all competitions, domestic and continental.
Born in 1990, the young midfielder was named among the Top 100 Footballers by The Guardian and is well known for his technical versatility and work-rate. Pjanic is also regarded as one of the finest free-kick takers of all time. Pjanic was also named alongside some the greatest footballers in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season 2016-2017.
Pjanic has also been a vital contributor to his national team and has earned over 70 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina national team. The midfield conductor for Juve, Pjanic was instrumental in driving Juventus to domestic silverware and the final of the UEFA Champions League.
With Rakitic's concerning dip in performances, the men at Barcelona could certainly bid for the Bosnian sensation and add to their already threatening squad depth.
#4 Dries Mertens (Napoli)
Already linked with a moved to the Nou Camp, Dries Mertens comes very solid off one of his best seasons of all time with Napoli, a club which certainly plays one of the most pleasing football in Europe.
Although the Belgian turned down offers from Barcelona and Chelsea, a transfer to one of the bigger clubs could be on the cards in the future. Mertens' flair and eye for goal make him a specialist in crunch situations.
The young Belgian took over Higuain after the move of the former to Juventus and proved his talent in a wonderful season contributing to over 40 goals in the league only. Dries Mertens was named as the Belgian Football of the Year in 2016 over Eden Hazard, who plays for Chelsea in the Premier League.
Luis Suarez's deteriorating form and reports of Denis Suarez moving away from the Nou Camp could make Mertens a potential addition to Barcelona's strike force, and Napoli's attacking style of play is quite similar to that of FC Barcelona, which will allow him to ease into Ernesto Valverde's tactics relatively easy.
However, to the frustration of Barcelona fans, the possibility of Mertens moving to Barcelona are slim at the moment, although the Catalans might look forward to the Belgian's abilities in the near future.
#3 Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
A fan-favourite at the San Siro, the Inter man is a La Masia graduate and another potential replacement for the ageing Luis Suarez. Icardi's recent heroics in the Milan derby have made the Argentine's abilities even more famous globally.
Icardi is an Argentine forward who could possibly link up with fellow countryman Leo Messi at the Nou Camp. Icardi is known for his threat in front of the goal and would be a vital addition to the Barcelona strike force if the board decides to go for him.
The forward could prove to be a vital element for the Leo Messi-led Argentine national team in Russia next year, as the Albiceleste enter the global sporting event following a heroic performance by the Barcelona man.
Icardi's connection with Barcelona's roots and style of play owing to his days at the fabled La Masia academy can make him an easy fit for the squad.
The La Masia has been traditionally known for producing world-class talents including the likes of Leo Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Gerard Pique and Mauro Icardi would be certain to grasp onto an opportunity provided by one of the world's biggest clubs to make his mark on a greater scale.
The Argentine sensation is only 24-year-old and already a favourite in the eyes of Barcelona fans to make a return to his boyhood club and add a spark to Valverde's squad.
#2 Jorginho (Napoli)
A graduate of the youth academy of Verona, Jorge Luiz Frello Filho, commonly known as Jorginho, has been highly linked with a move to FC Barcelona. The 25-year-old midfielder is a favourite of tacticians and pundits, and is known for effective passing skills, composure, and versatility.
Jorginho plays for Seria A side Napoli and could be a perfect fit for the midfield of the Blaugrana, which is somewhat similar to Napoli's attacking flair. Jorginho is a Brazil-born Italian playmaker who is highly rated by the Italian side to be one of their brightest youth prospects.
Napoli's pass maps are graced by Jorginho's technique, ability, and vision, who is undoubtedly the fulcrum of most of their attacks. The Italian's remarkable defensive capabilities add to his strong CV and make him a strong favorite to bench midfielder Ivan Rakitic at Barcelona, as the Croatian has been widely criticized by Barcelona fans lately, for his lack of creativity and influence on the game.
"I would take him to Barcelona but he is very happy at Napoli and has no problems at all." - Jorginho's Agent
Jorginho's agent confirmed their interests regarding a move to Barcelona but also stated that he is having a good time at the Italian club. Barcelona fans would be keen to see Napoli's unsung hero pull the strings for their club and add to their bid for silverware under new manager Ernesto Valverde.
#1 Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
A star in the headlines since months, the Argentine sensation is highly linked with a move to Barcelona and will undoubtedly add to their strength. Barcelona was reported to go after the Argentine star forward in the summer after Neymar's departure, but Dembele later joined their ranks instead. It had also been reported that Messi has demanded Dybala's transfer to Barcelona.
Dybala started his career in Argentina, playing for Instituto de Córdoba, but has spent most of his professional career in Italy ever since. The Argentine has earned over 75 caps for Juventus and has found the net more than 40 times.
Dybala made a strong mark over the Catalans last season, scoring twice in Juventus' hammering of Barcelona in the Champions League and has been highly tipped for a transfer ever since.
Complementing the threat he develops from set-pieces, Dybala's deadly shots and the ability to control the game could make him the perfect addition to Valverde's squad and certainly make Barcelona a better and stronger team.
The Juventus No. 10 is set to pull the strings with Barcelona's No.10, Leo Messi next year in Russia to aid Argentina's bid for World Cup glory and Barcelona fans are certainly desperate to witness Dybala's flair alongside talismanic forward Messi in a Barcelona shirt too.
