Six Players FC Barcelona Could Sign To Fulfill The Desire For A Physical, Creative Midfielder

Reports from Catalonia’s top sports newspapers claim that FC Barcelona are in the market for a ‘physical’ yet creative midfielder who can build up play, in the mold of former stars Yaya Toure and Keroy Keita. 

Here are six suitable players the Blaugrana could try and sign to fulfill this desire.

Thomas Partey

Growing into his side’s last 16 second leg tie with holders Liverpool in the Champions League, the Atletico Madrid enforcer completed four tackles, two take-ons, and won three aerial duels as one of his side’s top performers.

Diego Simeone and his overlords usually hesitant to let a top talent flee to a domestic rival, they would have their hands tied considering the Ghana international’s paltry $55mn release clause, which consquently means the likes of Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester City are also interested.

Eduardo Camavinga

As reported at the weekend, Barça and Real Madrid are apparently set to enter a ‘brutal war’ for the 17-year-old, who was born in Angola but naturalized as a French citizen in November. 

Though he is the youngest of the group, Camavinga could be a long-term successor to Sergio Busquets and has already demonstrated maturity beyond his years with a Man of the Match performance against PSG.

Tied down until 2022, his sharing of agent with injured winger Ousmane Dembele could ease negotiations after an offer north of $77mn has been lodged.

Paul Pogba

Rather than taking a bet on a prospect, however, FC Barcelona could opt for the proven thing. 

Camavinga is regarded as Pogba’s potential heir in France’s national team, yet the World Cup winner is at his peak despite injury setbacks and can walk on a free in 2021. 

Furthermore, pulling off this coup would score points over Madrid, whose coach Zinedine Zidane is a known admirer of his compatriot. But it is a matter of intrigue as to what Manchester United would accept, rather than fail to recuperate a single penny on their previous world record signing.

Allan

The eldest and most secure here on paper, as a 29-year-old locked in his current deal until 2023, the Brazil international has fallen out with Napoli’s ruling De Laurentiis family, which could facilitate a sale. 

For these reasons, Barça only got to the see him in action for 10 minutes at the end, when the two sides met at the Stadio San Paolo in late February, while PSG have continually attempted to land the Rio de Janeiro native and as recent as January. 

Anything from around $45mn to $55mn will do the job, it is alleged.  

N’Golo Kante

Chelsea’s linchpin also renewed terms in 2018, like Allan, when penning a five-year contract. 

The most expensive choice priced at $111mn, it seems unlikely Camp Nou top brass would head to the negotiating table when already faced with handing over $167mn for Neymar and $124mn for Lautaro Martinez in the preseason.  

Lucas Torreira

Ruled out for the rest of 2019/2020 with an ankle injury, Luis Suarez’s Uruguay teammate was misused by the fired Unai Emery. 

His replacement Mikel Arteta has insisted Torreira not be sold, but the Gunners could be swayed by a bid around the $55mn sum it would take to deliver Partey.