Only three new continental entries can be made. The winger, Alves and Ferran Torres close the door on Abde and, if more signings arrive, the coach will have to leave some reinforcement out. Aubameyang, separated in the Arsenal, alternative to Morata for the ‘nine’
Xavi will have to square a ‘sudoku’ facing the Europa League. You can only register three new players for the continental competition, the only one that Barça does not have in its record (UEFA does not recognize the Fairs Cup, its embryo). Abde and Jutglà, two of the reserve team forwards who have strengthened the first team since the arrival of the new coach, were not on the UEFA B list and aspired to one of the three new European tickets. But the signings of Dani Alves, Ferran Torres Y Adama Traore (which this Friday has undergone a medical examination and will be presented on Monday) they have closed the door. In the event that more incorporations arrive before the end of the market, the Barcelona coach will have to rule out any of the winter reinforcements in Europe.
Aware of the limitations of the inherited squad, Xavi is confident that the club will make an effort until Monday at midnight to strengthen the team. His priorities continue to be the arrival of a ‘nine’ and a left back. Seeing that Morata, the coach’s favourite, is still bogged down by Atlético’s reticence, the club is now exploring other options. Like the aubameyang, a striker with lights and shadows. A ‘killer’ with more goals than bruise but that he has fallen into disgrace at Arsenal, who have withdrawn his captaincy and set him apart for his indiscipline. In addition, he has not been able to play the Africa Cup with Gabon after heart problems were detected, although the player himself assured on his return to London that he had been left in a scare and that his heart was “absolutely fine”. Something fundamental for any club that wants to sign him, especially for Barça, after what happened with Kun Agüero.
At 32 years old, the ‘top scorer’ of the Bundesliga in 2017 and the Premier in 2019 could be a luxury temp before trying to tackle the landing of Erling Haland in summer.
Aubameyang’s name has been hovering over the Camp Nou for some time. Arsenal was one of the teams interested in Coutinho and, given the need to get rid of the African striker, trading cards seemed like a good solution for both clubs. After the Brazilian midfielder headed for the Premier, but to reunite at Aston Villa with his former teammate Steven Gerrard, Aubameyang has returned to the scene. Before being separated by Mikel Arteta, He had 7 goals and two assists in 15 games.
Options for the left back
In parallel, Barça is looking for a relief of guarantees for Alba. Tagliafico still on the table. Sources familiar with the operation reiterate that the Argentine side of Ajax only considers leaving with the option to buy Barça at 29 years of age, ruling out both another destination and renewal. The name of the Albiceleste defender has been joined by that of another youth squad who, like Adama, had to pack his bags: Grimaldo. But according to Record Benfica, who went through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, is not in the mood to let the former Barça player out now. According to the Portuguese newspaper, the Portuguese team would only be willing to listen to offers in the summer for the defender who, like Tagliafico and the Valencian player Gayacontract ends in June 2023.
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The key to getting new reinforcements is still the exit of Dembele. If finally the second most expensive signing in history culé he packs his bags and the club manages to tie down a scorer or a lane player, Xavi will have to get off the European plane one of the signings for this January