The three candidates Barcelona are looking at to replace Busquets
The veteran midfielder won't be around forever and the club know that
Xavi made clear in his press conference ahead of the Celta Vigo clash that the squad need to reinforce and get at least two players for each position.
One of the places he wants to reinforce is in centre midfield where Sergio Busquets has no back-up and is 33 years old.
“Busquets is not eternal,” said Xavi. “We have to take that into account for the future. THere’s no profile like Sergio Busquets in the team. We have to find one. It’s important that the planning goes there. Barcelona should have two players for each position. We don’t have each position doubled up and that’s important.”
There are three names that Barcelona are looking at ahead of what could be Busquets’s last season, with his contract up in 2023.
They are Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Aurelien Tchouameni (Monaco) and Ruben Neves (Wolves).
Zubimendi is the player the technical team like the most, the player Xavi thinks is most like Busquets. He has been growing since debuting and at 23 is a key player for Imanol Alguacil, he can defend but is also great on the ball and can bring it out well. The issue is he has a 60m release clause and a contract until 2025.
Tchouameni is also liked by not just by Barca. Half of Europe want the 22 year old. The French international, with a contract until 2024, could leave this summer and Real Madrid are linked, with PSG and Liverpool. He would also cost around 60m euros, an obstacle for Barca.
The third name is one they have been working on, Ruben Neves. The 25 year old Wolves midfielder with Jorge Mendes as his agent has been mentioned when Joan Laporta has met the Portuguese. He would cost a similar price but the good relationship could see it lowered.
