In a week, Barça has left three pieces closed to shore up, in a big way, its forward: in addition to re-signing Dembeleat zero cost instead of the 105 million more variables that it cost in 2017, has pulled the portfolio with the arrivals of raphinha (58 million, plus 9 in variables) and lewandowski(45+5). Three reinforcements that give the Barça forward a leap in quality, which is now one of the most powerful in Europe. The club hopes to be able to strengthen the defense from Monday with another trio of signings.
The names of the chosen ones are no secret: Koundé, Marcos Alonso and Azpilicueta. The three operations were well on track although they were all pending the signings of Chelsea. The London team wanted to have the spare parts of the two Spanish full-backs tied up before opening the door for them to meet again at the Camp Nou with Christensen. It’s only a matter of time and Xavi hopes to have them before the end of the North American tour.
Marcos Alonso would bring the competition that Alba has never had in the left lane and AzpiIn addition to being a guarantee for the right back, he can also play as a center back.
Paradoxically, Chelsea have also brought Koundé to Barca. The Sevilla center-back was already on the verge of heading to Stamford Bridge last summer. Everything seemed to indicate that this year the English club would return to the fray but a surgical operation and Barca’s irruption have changed destiny. Koulibaly, who was the ‘plan b’ of Mateu Germany if he couldn’t land Koundé, he has just signed for Chelsea, a move that has paved the way for Barça.
Pique’s heir
Koundé is the man called to be Piqué’s replacement at defense. Xavi already told the Catalan central defender that he would not start next season. With Araujo as irreplaceable, Gerard had so far aspired to compete for the other place with Eric Garcia and Christensen. The arrival of Koundé would totally change the scenario. “Koundé is a great player, that the best are here,” Araujo wished from the USA.
The French defender, due to age (23) and conditions, would be an investment in the short, medium and long term, unlike veterans Azpilicueta (32) and Marcos Alonso (31). He has the advantage over Christensen of knowing the League well and guarantees an excellent ball output, one of the main virtues of Eric and Piqué.
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But football is unpredictable, as Barça well know with Umtiti, another French defender who arrived at the Camp Nou almost the same age as Koundé and who, after two exceptional years that made us think that the club had a central player in him years, his career was slowed down by physical problems. Koundé also had to undergo surgery last month for hamstring discomfort that had plagued him last season. An operation that cooled the interest of Chelsea and that put Barça in the race. That yes, scalded by the Umtiti case, the Barcelona club has been interested in his physical condition, but the player’s environment has assured him that he will be at his best to start the season.
Include a Barça player to lower the price
Sevilla, which has already got rid of Diego Carlos, has already assumed that it will have to make money with the other central defender. The starting price is 60 million, but Barça wants to lower it to 40 by adding a player to the operation. Initially, the option of Memphis Depay had been explored, but the Dutchman prefers to look for another destination, so Abde, another of those affected by the ‘overbooking’ of forwards, could enter the operation.