The signings Barca dream of under Joan Laporta
The new chief must look to the next project and these are his targets
The planning for the 2021-22 season will be one of the biggest tasks for Joan Laporta in his new presidency. Jordi Cruyff is expected to join as a technical secretary. The amount of money he and Barca have to spend will depend on who they can sell from the current squad and for how much. New players will not be on huge contracts. Laporta’s initial intention will be to strengthen each area of the team.
SUB KEEPER
Ter Stegen is Barca’s starter and nobody doubts that. Neto, the reserve, will be 32 in July and he wants to play elsewhere. So Barca have to turn to the B team (Inaki Pena, Arnau Tenas or Lazar Carevic) or turn to the market.
ERIC GARCIA
The Man City defender is poised to join for free at the end of the season, returning to the club he left a few years ago. This seems like a sensible move and although Laporta did not want him to join for 5 million in January, he will come in the summer.
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David Alaba is another defender who could arrive. The Bayern man, who can play at centre-back and left-back, is being followed by Barca and Madrid. His wage demands are high but Laporta has not ruled him out. He has a good relationship with Alaba’s agent, Pini Zahavi. At 28, his versatility and great physical capacity make him a good option.
Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero are also interesting. The Dutchman was close to joining Barca last summer. Ronald Koeman wanted him but Barca could not afford it. Aguero, meanwhile, is a friend of Messi and a potential replacement for Luis Suarez.
A STAR
Barca are in need of a star name, a reference point. Ealing Haaland is the name most spoken about. At 20 the Norwegian is expected to dominate the football landscape over the next decade. His signing will not be easy or cheap. However Laporta does have a good relationship with his agent, Mino Raiola.
