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It is the New Year and the winter transfer window is open. Over the years the winter transfer window has seen some great players switch sides. Liverpool's rock-solid defensive pillar Virgil Van Dijk joined the Reds in last season's winter transfer window. Phillipe Coutinho joined Barcelona in last season's winter transfer window. Even this season, there is no shortage of expectations for the fans. Everyone wants world-class players or talented youngsters to join their favorite side.
That brings us to Spain. Barcelona had a very successful summer transfer window. They bolstered their weak spots and each of their signings has made their impact. Eric Abidal, Barcelona's technical secretary has a very good eye for potential talents. Since Jasper Cillessen is already 30 and is too good to be on the bench, he could leave the club which makes a keeper a necessity. Barcelona could lose out on Rafinha and Denis due to limited chances. Also, the Blaugrana lack the numbers in the central defense since Vermaelen will leave at the end of the season and Murillo is only a loan player. The final signing will be a striker who the Blaugrana expect, will learn from Suarez to be his long-term replacement.
A striker, a goalkeeper, a central defender, and two midfielders; these are the positions that the club wants to be bolstered.
Let us have a look at the five players who could soon don the Blaugrana.
#5 Jiri Pavlenka (Werder Bremen)
Jiri Pavlenka might be an unknown commodity for those who do not follow Bundesliga. The Czech shot-stopper is one of the best keepers in Bundesliga. He is still 26 which is not such a bad age for a backup goalkeeper. Marc Andre Ter Stegen was also found by Barcelona from the Bundesliga and they seem to continue that trend.
Apart from Pavlenka, Koen Casteels is also an option for the Blaugrana. Both are of the same age as well. Still, it feels that Pavlenka could be the one to arrive in Spain. He boasts better stats than Casteels and believe it or not, a better save per goal ratio than Manuel Neuer.
The Czech keeper had saved 56 shots at goal in comparison to the 33 that he has conceded. He has made 1.7 goals per goal conceded and has a good distribution accuracy. The Czech has been on Barcelona's radar for quite a while along with Koen Casteels and PSV keeper Zoet according to sources. Perhaps, Cillessen's departure will open the door for Pavlenka to finally arrive at Barcelona.
Also see : Barcelona Transfer News, La Liga Transfer News
#4 Benjamin Pavard (VfB Stuttgart)
The French defender has been a hot prospect in the transfer window ever since his heroic performance at the World Cup. Primarily a central defender, Pavard had to play out of position for the sake of his team's formation which saw him play at right back. At Stuttgart, however, he is deployed at the center back spot in a three-man defense.
Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique are the two central defenders at the club's disposal. Clement Lenglet is there as a third choice. A club should have at least four center-back choices and that's why Barcelona are interested in Pavard. Moreover, Pavard has shown his versatility at any spot in the defense and if needed, he could also play at the right-back spot.
The problem, however, in signing Pavard, would be the hefty fee that Stuttgart would demand him. Barcelona is not the only team who needs a central defender. Bayern Munich and Napoli are also keen to get a defender. Kalidou Koulibaly's possible exit is a reason for Napoli's interest. The French man would be a good addition to any team and Eric Abidal is turning to make Barcelona into a France 2.0 as well.
Benjamin Pavard might very well be a Blaugrana next season. Matthijs De Ligt was under the scanner of Barcelona but seems like the club has given up on him following heavy interest from other major clubs.
#3 Kasper Dolberg (AFC Ajax)
The only realistic No.9 option for Barcelona at the moment is Luis Suarez. Munir has disappointed as a striker and has reportedly agreed to join Sevilla at the end of the season. Barcelona's strikers have always been different. Apart from poaching, the club expects them to be involved in the build-up play and help up in the defense. Luis Suarez is not a classic No.9 who poaches. He is an all-around player which is why he was involved in more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018.
Few of the short-list that Barcelona considered for a long-term Suarez replacement is as follows. Nicolas Pepe, Timo Werner, Krzysztof Piątek, Lautaro Martinez and of course Kasper Dolberg.
Piatek has been very good in Serie A, leading the goalscoring charts at times ahead of the obvious Cristiano Ronaldo. But Piatek is not a striker who Barcelona would like. He is sort of a poacher. Werner has been under the scanner of Liverpool for quite some time and the Blaugrana would not want to go into a bidding war with them. Lautaro Martinez has just joined Inter and hasn't been outstanding, as such.
Coming to Nicolas Pepe and Dolberg, both are good and feasible options for the Blaugrana. However, Pepe is also a winger and might be better off in the wings than a striker. Malcolm and Dembele are already in line for the wings and Barcelona would not want a young kid to warm the benches.
Dolberg is only 21 and could learn from Luis Suarez and start in CDR matches. If he impresses, he would be the permanent striker after two or three years. The lad is already under the watchful eye of Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Suarez would only help him get better.
#2 Frenkie De Jong (AFC Ajax)
The Dutch wonderkid, that is precisely Frenkie De Jong. The prodigy from Ajax has been linked with Barcelona since last year's transfer window. De Jong plays the central midfield and the center back role as well. Naturally, he is a midfielder who fits Barcelona's profile. A genuine distributor of the ball he has the ability to hold on to possession well. He is a technically gifted player and has a good vision and ability to pick out the right pass.
Since Denis Suarez and Rafinha could both leave Barcelona at the end of the season, he could be one of the midfield options for the Blaugrana. Reportedly, Eric Abidal, Ramon Planes and Pep Segura all had agreed to make De Jong a priority signing.
For a team like Barcelona which loves the progressive build-up play, Frenkie is the right ammunition to have among the ranks. Arthur has impressed with his controlling skills and Frenkie can do the same in a more creative role.
PSG are the other team who have shown interest in De Jong and this will no doubt create a strangle for the Dutch. However, neither team likes to back off from a bidding war. Barcelona may be selling Cillessen, Denis, and Rafinha but PSG have no such luck after splashing cash of Neymar and Mbappe. If they want to splash cash of Frenkie then they might have to let go of Neymar or Mbappe because of FFP regulations.
#1 Adrien Rabiot (PSG)
Rabiot's contract with PSG ends this season and thus he can leave for free to any club. It is reported that Barcelona has already agreed on a deal with Rabiot. The French midfielder will join on a five-year contract with a salary of €10 million.
Rabiot is not a person who is a fan-favorite at Paris. He is said to be an arrogant player who has previously had problems with the club due to his attitude. The troublemaker tag is certainly not one that the Cules fancy in their players. But on the contrary, he is still young and a good mentor and a different atmosphere could change everything. With Busquets to mentor him who is of a very calm demeanor, Rabiot could have an attitude change.
Rabiot is also skilled and he could adapt to the situation at Spain. The salary is another thing that causes an outburst as he will earn more than Alba and Busquets. But as a silver lining, if Barcelona had to pay for his transfer it would cost €50 million plus. Maybe the board considers this a bargain due to the amount they save on the transfer fee.
In all due respect, Rabiot is not worthy of being paid higher than Busquets and Alba at Barcelona but Alba will have a contract renewal as well. But everything said Rabiot is pretty much Barcelona's first summer signing for 2019.
