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FC Barcelona under Ernesto Valverde had a memorable debut campaign as they won the La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Thus by completing the domestic double, the pain of departure of Neymar has been overshadowed.
Though their season started with a defeat in the 2018 Supercopa de España to arch-rivals Real Madrid, but a superb run of form in the La Liga which included a 3-0 victory over Real Madrid helped them win the league with ease
Though the Blaugrana are highly unlikely to sign all of them, even if they manage to sign two players on the list it would help them cope up with the departure of Iniesta. Here we look at seven players who Barcelona should target to strengthen their midfield.
Despite all their success, one thing that Barcelona fans had to see was the departure of legendary Andres Iniesta. Even at the age of 33 he was very much pulling the strings in the midfield for the Catalan giants. But his departure has led to a big void that needs to be filled as soon as possible.
#1 Frenkie De Jong (Ajax)
The 21-year-old has been a revelation in the Eredivisie for Ajax. He is capable of playing as a central midfielder, defensive midfielder and even as a center back. His versatility is one of his strongest assets.
His technical brilliance and naturally gifted football intelligence have earned him a regular starting role in Ajax's first team. His displays have been a source of joy for Ajax fans.
While his performances have made many to compare him with football greats such as Frank Rijkaard and Franz Beckenbauer, many have called his style of play as a hybrid to Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.
Thus there is no wonder that Barcelona is interested in signing the midfielder. He may not be able to break into the first team immediately but at the age of 21, he can be seen as the future of Barca's midfield.
With Iniesta's departure and the likes of Ratkic, Busquets, and Paulinho all entering their 30s it seems like a right time to inject the midfield with fresh blood and bring down the average age of the midfield.
#2 Miralem Pjanic (Juventus)
The Bosnian has been a constant figure in the Juve midfield since his arrival from AS Roma. He is a player who can run the game by himself and he has transformed himself into a deep-lying midfielder, who is the perfect replacement for Andrea Pirlo.
Whenever he does not play for the Turin giants, his absence is clearly felt in their midfield. In the Champions League quarter-finals against Real Madrid, he missed the first leg via suspension and Juve lost 3-0, but on his return, he made a huge impact with his impressive passing game and Juve won that match 3-1.
With Barcelona's need for being always in control of the ball, the magician can provide them with ease of control in the midfield. Due to the presence of Busquets behind him, he can be more adventurous as well. Also, he should give Ivan Rakitić a good competition in the midfield.
His splendid range of passing skills makes him a perfect midfield player for Barcelona. He has also sharped his defensive game and regularly helps out his defence by reading the game and making tackles and interceptions.
The Catalan giants along with Real Madrid are already considering a move for the former Lyon midfielder.
#3 Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)
The former Ajax youth academy midfielder, Christian Eriksen, has been one of the most consistent performers for Tottenham since his arrival in the Premier League. Along with Harry Kane, he is one of the best players Tottenham have on their current roster.
The Danish international has turned up so many times for the Spurs in big games providing crucial assists and scoring crucial goals as well. He always has an eye for a killer pass and Tottenham's attacking football suits him well; thus his transition to Camp Nou's attacking football should be not difficult.
He is a player who can definitely help the Catalan giants to help fill the void left by Andres Iniesta and dominate the midfield. His arrival could also help Philippe Coutinho to move further up the pitch in a more advanced attacking role.
FC Barcelona have already made him a priority signing as per reports.
#4 Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich)
The Bayern Munich star is actually a product of FC Barcelona famous youth academy La Masia and during his days with the Catalan giants, many considered him to be the perfect long-term replacement for Andres Iniesta before he was sold to the Bavarian giants.
The Spanish international is considered to be one of the best midfielders in the game and he has made quite a name for himself in Europe with his passing game and dribbling. He is already well versed with the city and Barca's playing style so settling into the team is unlikely to be a problem for him.
His skill set, age and the Blaugrana's present need for a midfield enforcer should be a perfect time for his homecoming to the Camp Nou. Tactically as well he should be a perfect signing as he would a perfect partner in crime for Sergio Busquets in the middle of the park for Barcelona.
According to reports Bayern Munich are willing to sell him this summer if a right offer comes as they look to rebuild their team.
#5 Koke (Atletico Madrid)
The Atletico Madrid youth academy product is one of the best midfielders in La Liga. He is a proven winner as well, winning 2 Europa League's, 1 La Liga, 1 Copa del Rey and 1 Supercopa de España.
Not only attacking wise defensively as well he contributes a lot to the Atletico Madrid team that play highly defensive football. The Spaniard is one of the most hardworking members of this robust Atletico team.
FC Barcelona also has a good relationship when it comes to transfers with the red half of Madrid. In recent seasons Los Rojiblancos have been a constant threat to Barca's league dominance and his signing could prove to the decisive blow that will help them cement their domestic dominance even more.
Like most of the Spaniards, he is technically and tactically excellent. He also provides good physicality as well. Though it is Lionel Messi who runs the show at Camp Nou, they also need someone like Koke to provide them with physicality and that graft in midfield.
Paulinho is a player who provides them with stoutness, but he has been inconsistent in his first season. Thus Koke would be a wonderful addition to the Catalan giants squad, adding depth as well as quality.
Though it will be very tough to prize him away from the Wanda Metropolitano, but in football, nothing can be taken for certain. If he does move to the Camp Nou it will be a good buy for the Catalan giants.
#6 Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)
Marco Verratti is one of the best young midfielders in the game at this moment. At the age of 25, it seems Verratti has been ever-present for PSG. He has been a consistent performer at the Parc des Princes.
But many have argued that for him to improve and take his game to the next level he must leave France and move to a country where there is more competitive football. Despite his talents, there are aspects of his game that he needs to improve and the Camp Nou environment could just be perfect for that.
He is a midfielder who should guild in well in Barca's fluid attacking football. He is quick, agile, has good ball control and dribbling skills and he is a gifted creative playmaker. Alongside all these attributes he is also effective in tight spaces and ball retention.
With him and Busquets in the midfield, Barcelona should easily be able to boss the midfield for the Blaugrana and his attributes should also help to settle at the Camp Nou attacking football.
He can also push Philippe Coutinho to play further up the pitch and cover for him in the midfield when they face a counter-attack. At the same time when they are attacking, he can play the role of a playmaker as well.
#7 Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint-Germain)
The Frenchman is just 23 years old and he has delivered impressive performances for the French giants. It is believed that the Spanish giants have been following the midfielder for some time now and could make a move in the summer.
His passing accuracy of 92.3% and his short passing style of play should help him at the Camp Nou if he makes a move to Spain. He is also very good at finding the killer passes, effective at blocking shots and good dribbling skills.
He also makes good runs into the box helping out in attack and according to reports he is apparently a target for FC Barcelona and his contract expires in 2019 and he is yet to sign an extension.
Many also view him as a successor to Sergio Busquets. Apart from him, they don't have any defensive midfielder and short passing style of play makes him an ideal candidate. The Frenchman can provide much-needed cover and competition to the Spaniard and in the process eventually replace him in the starting line up.
The former PSG youth academy midfielder was recently secluded from the French squad which will go to Russia and with PSG's failure's in Europe, Rabiot might consider his future and the Camp Nou should be an attractive option.
Which midfielders do you think Barcelona should sign this summer? Let us know in the comments below!
