Barça eye Benfica's Enzo Fernandez as Busquets replacement

Barcelona's strategic signing next summer will be a midfielder. Sergio Busquets is out of contract and everything indicates he will call time on his trophy-filled era at Camp Nou, although it has not been 100% decided yet as he remains a key player in Xavi Hernandez's side. But the most likely scenario is his departure and the club are looking for a player who understands Barça's style of play and is capable of fulfilling what is a complicated role in the team.

For Xavi, that player is Martin Zubimendi, the Real Sociedad midfielder, but the main problem is the Basque club do not want to sell and will point to his €60 million release clause -- if it doesn't rise with a contract renewal. Wolves and Portugal's Ruben Neves has always been on the table, too, but the club are not convinced he is the best option. Barça are also looking at a lot of other players.

One player has caught the eye and that is the Argentine Enzo Fernandez, who plays in Portugal for Benfica. Former Barça sporting director Ramon Planes was a fan of the 21-year-old but it would have been a risky signing at the time. He later left River Plate for Benfica in a €15m deal this past summer. However, that price has proved a snip for the Portuguese side. He is a player Barça like a lot.