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- Joan Laporta is keen to rejuvenate Barca after winning the presidential election in March.
- Lionel Messi 'has decided to stay at Camp Nou' for the next five years.
- Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia, Sergio Aguero, and Emerson all joined the Blaugrana this summer.
It's been a very busy and unpredictable summer for Barcelona. Plagued by an arduous financial situation, the Catalan giants found themselves floating between the need to restructure their exhausted squad and the inevitable course to trim down their gargantuan wages.
A staggering €1.2 billion debt is something no president would love to inherit from the preceding administration. Joan Laporta, nevertheless, had to face the reality of the mismanagement of Josep Maria Bartomeu and his cabal. To tackle the problem, a few harsh decisions had to be made.
Apart from the pay cuts that we all expected, Barca also had to part ways with many promising young talents. Junior Firpo, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Carles Alena were sold for a combined fee of €28.50 million. Matheus Fernandes had his contract terminated, Juan Miranda was allowed to leave for free while Francisco Trincao joined Wolves on loan with a purchase option.
What caused the most worry was the possibility of losing Lionel Messi. The Argentine's contract expired at the end of last season, meaning that he is currently a free agent. We've heard a lot of rumors already but it appears the Catalan giants have nothing to worry about.
Barcelona can count Lionel Messi for FIVE more years
Based on multiple reports from reliable sources, Leo has decided to take a massive 50% pay cut to stay at Camp Nou for the next five seasons. An official announcement is expected to surface in the coming days.
Following the late capitulation of last term, the Argentine will be looking forward to a better outing in the upcoming campaign. He won't be left deserted this time. Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero will join him in the attack while Eric Garcia and Emerson Royale will strengthen the backline following the arrival of the quartet this summer.
Considering the aforementioned signings, it is certain that there will be some changes in the Blaugrana's squad next season. On that note, we predict what Barcelona's lineup could look like when the campaign kicks off:
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen
The German used to be one of the most reliable figures for Barcelona but his level of performance has dropped massively in the last few seasons. He conceded 38 goals in La Liga last term and 10 in the Champions League. Such was his fall that he failed to make it into Germany's team for the Euros this summer.
As there is no better option at Camp Nou right now, Barca will surely start next season with MATS between the sticks. The guardian will be looking to return to the top of his form. On his day, he is, without doubt, one of the best goalkeepers in the world. It would be great to see him back in the form that won him the hearts of the Blaugrana faithful just a few years ago.
Defense
Left-back: Jordi Alba
Given the sale of Junior Firpo and Barcelona's unlikeliness to sign another left-back as a result of their financial constraints, it is safe to conclude that Jordi Alba's spot on the left side of the defense will be unchallenged next season.
The Spaniard is currently firing on all cylinders. He produced a number of eye-catching displays for Spain at the Euros and he'll be looking forward to maintaining that level of performance when the new campaign kicks off.
Center-back: Gerard Pique
Barcelona's chief defense commander will certainly return to the battlefield next season. Pique was one of the first few players to land at Camp Nou last week to kick off preparations for the upcoming campaign. Such is his determination.
With a new young look, the Spaniard appears to be ready for an intense fight to keep his spot in the starting lineup following the rise of Oscar Mingueza and the signing of Eric Garcia from Manchester City. Both players will be fighting for the centre-back role.
Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet could also join the battle but there are doubts over their continuity in the Catalan capital. Reports suggest that Barca are working to get them offloaded this summer.
Center-back: Ronald Araujo
Ronald Araujo enjoyed a massive breakout season at Camp Nou last term. Despite a few injury layoffs, he was, without doubt, the most reliable figure at the heart of the Blaugrana's defense during the campaign.
Every good deed deserves appreciation. The Uruguayan will likely be rewarded with a centre-back spot alongside Gerard Pique next term.
It's nice to learn that Barca lost just two La Liga games that Araujo featured in last season. As per Whoscored.com, the youngster finished the term with an impressive tally of 28 tackles, 22 interceptions and 46 blocks across all competitions.
Right-back: Sergino Dest
It promises to be a huge battle between Sergino Dest and Emerson Royale for the right-back spot next season. Ronald Koeman should be gearing up for a selection headache.
The two defenders enjoyed a splendid outing last season. Emerson made 38 appearances for Real Betis, bagging two goals and four assists for the Spanish side. Dest, meanwhile, recorded three goals and one assist to his name for Barcelona in 44 games.
Given that Emerson just recently switched to Camp Nou recently, Koeman will likely give him some time to adapt. Hence, Dest would most likely get the nod to feature in the right-back spot.
Midfield
Central Midfielder: Pedri
Last season ended on a disappointing note for Barcelona but the fans can still reflect on Pedri's explosive rise and have something to be happy about. The young midfielder was one of the biggest revelations of the season, winning the hearts of the Blaugrana faithful with eye-catching displays week in and week out.
Pedri made 52 appearances for the Blaugrana across all competitions, with a record of four goals and six assists to his name. He took it a step further this summer as he played an influential role in Spain's run to the semifinals of the European championship.
Pedri was rewarded with the Best Young Player Of The Tournament award. With the Spaniard in such explosive form, his spot in the starting lineup is certainly untouchable.
Central Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong
Another Barca midfielder who impressed at the Euros, Frenkie de Jong put up a brilliant show in the tournament, bossing the midfield for the Netherlands and earning a lot of plaudits as a result. Unfortunately, the Dutch team couldn't go far in the competition as they crashed out to Czech Republic in the round of 16 stage.
De Jong was one of the top performers for Barca last season, with an impressive tally of seven goals and eight assists in 51 games across all fronts. He will surely continue to run riot in the middle of the pitch next term.
Defensive midfielder: Sergio Busquets
Sergio Busquets is already in the twilight of his career but he looks ready to carry on for the next year or two. The midfielder reminded us of his class with a string of spectacular performances for Spain at the Euros this summer.
Barca will need his experience and class for the upcoming campaign. He forged a decent partnership with De Jong and Pedri last term. It is only going to get better if they play alongside one another for one more term.
Attack
Left-winger: Memphis Depay
Depay joined Barcelona as a free agent this summer following a prolific outing with Olympic Lyon in which he bagged 22 goals and 12 assists for the Ligue 1 giants in 40 games across all competitions.
The Dutchman outperformed most of Barca's attackers last term. It wouldn't be a shock to see him having an instant impact in Catalonia - especially given Ansu Fati's fragile situation at the moment and the uncertainties surrounding the future of some other offensive players.
Striker: Sergio Aguero
With Barca reportedly keen to offload Antoine Griezmann this summer, it's probable Aguero will get the nod to feature as the team's striker next season. The Argentine arrived as a free agent last month and he'll be keen to light things up in the Catalan capital.
A great friend of Messi, we could be up to witness another formidable attacking partnership between the duo, similar to the one we saw between Leo and Luis Suarez before the latter's departure last year.
Aguero endured a torrid outing last season due to an injury crisis. He could only bag six goals and one assist for Manchester City in 20 games. having regained his fitness, let's hope we'll see the prolific Aguero that we know at Camp Nou next term.
Right winger: Lionel Messi
This is perhaps the best time to have Lionel Messi on your team. The Argentine has just led his nation to triumph in the recently concluded Copa America tournament, finishing as the top scorer, best player and with the highest number of assists among other feats.
Messi is currently in one of the happiest periods of his career and that spells nothing but doom for opposition defenders. The Argentine will be inspired to fire Barca to success next term with the Champions League trophy in sight.
It should, however, be noted that Leo is still a free agent after his contract expired at the end of last season. He is expected to remain at Camp Nou as reports suggest he has agreed to sign a five-year deal with the Blaugrana.
