The three summer transfer window scenarios for Barcelona

Since the end of the season, Xavi Hernández has not tired of repeating in the various interviews he has given that the team must be reinforced with quality players if they want to continue competing and aspiring to win all titles. The demands on Barça are maximum and after winning the league this season the club wants to start a new winning cycle.

"We are aware that we have to reinforce ourselves to compete because Barça demand a lot of themselves, especially in Europe. We have to be competitive, we need two players per position. We have made the most of the squad. The final step is to reinforce ourselves well, to compete for all the titles. We have to go one step further to win the Champions League," said the coach.

Of course, the objectives will depend on how the club can finally improve the squad. Xavi also pointed out that the economic situation is what it is and that they are working with three different scenarios when it comes to the transfer market.

Last week LaLiga approved FC Barcelona's viability plan but still prevents them from signing under the 1-1 rule (if you save ten you can spend ten) and maintains the 40% rule, which allows them to spend 40% of what they get in sales or salary reductions on signings.

POSITIVE OUTLOOK

In the interview he gave to SPORT, Xavi assured that in the scenario in which they had no restrictions they could bring in up to six signings. As of today, this option is practically ruled out because it would not be possible to register all the signings.

The Blaugrana coach was also very clear and assured that the priorities are to reinforce the midfield, with a top midfielder as the main objective, and the forward line. Having already signed Inigo Martinez, who arrives on a free transfer, in this situation they would also like to bring in Ilkay Gundogan as an attacking midfielder and try to sign Joshua Kimmich or Martin Zubimendi to take over from Busquets. They are also keeping a close eye on Ruben Neves, with whom there is already an agreement in place.

For the forward line, they would try to sign Vitor Roque, the 18-year-old Brazilian starlet for whom several clubs are keen, but who Barça have very well under control, as well as Yannick Carrasco. Barça have an option to buy the Atletico Madrid winger for around 16 million euros.

And if there is still room for manoeuvre, they would try to bring in a right-back. There are many names on the table (Meunier, Cancelo, Fresneda, Foyth...). But as we have already said, as of today, this planning is impossible to carry out due to economic restrictions and the impossibility of registering all of them due to fair-play. Moreover, it would require many departures from the current squad.

MIDDLE GROUND

This is the most likely scenario but it will also require a lot of work. The aim is that the squad can be strengthened just enough to make it a little more competitive than last season.

The situation with Iñigo Martínez does not change because he is already signed. In this scenario, the total and absolute priority will be to bring in a pivot of maximum guarantees. "Busquets' replacement has to be a 9 or a 10 out of 10," said Xavi. They will fight to bring in Kimmich or Zubimendi as first options, but without ruling out Amrabat or Brozovic, much cheaper options.

Up front, Barça should be content with bringing back Abde and perhaps trying to bring back Aubameyang provided he arrives for free and his salary is cut by almost half, or more.

PESSIMSM 

It is unlikely because the club is doing its homework and has a plan for savings and sales that can be made. But it should not be ruled out that the club will be practically unable to sign players in the market if it cannot sell them.

In this apocalyptic scenario, Barça would have to make do with the current squad (plus Iñigo Martínez), try to sign a replacement for Busquets and little else. In this situation, the on-loan Abde and Nico could have chances of coming back and staying.

The attack would stay how it currently is, except some exits might be prevented.