Barça anticipates. Last summer, the residents of Camp Nou had completed well before the opening of the transfer window the arrivals of Franck Kessié and Andreas Christensen, who then played at AC Milan and Chelsea. Free on June 30, 2022, the two men had said yes to the Culés, who then made it official a few weeks later. Marcos Alonso and Hector Bellerin had also arrived for free after having terminated at Chelsea and Arsenal. Recruit players at the end of the contract or free, this is the new strategy of the Barcelonans.
This is what Mateu Alemany confessed during the assembly organized by the club last week. Barca’s general manager explained that given the club’s financial problems, free elements in June 2023 would be a priority during the next transfer windows. The objective is of course not to pay transfer fees. Despite everything, the FCB should pay a signing bonus to the players. But the Spanish club wants to avoid dropping millions on rival clubs and above all to spare itself difficult negotiations, as was the case this summer with Bayern Munich for Robert Lewandowski.
Ten free players in 2023 in the sights
This Tuesday, the Catalan media are discussing this subject and above all listing the free players in 2023 who are making FC Barcelona salivate. And they are many ! Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi tops the list. Bringing back the Pulga is a goal of President Joan Laporta and Xavi. But the Argentinian wants to make his decision after the World Cup in Qatar, he who also benefits from an extension offer from PSG (1 year contract + 1 year optional, salary of 30 million euros per year). Another free player in 2023: Marco Asensio. The player is no longer a starter at Real Madrid. The rival club wants to recover it according to Sports world.
The Spanish media, like Sport, also cites the names of Iñigo Martinez (Athletic), José Gaya (Valencia), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (MU) and Jorginho (Chelsea). His teammate N’Golo Kanté is also targeted. The Frenchman, often injured, has a good chance of leaving the Blues. Finally, FC Barcelona also checked the name of Milan Skriniar (Inter Milan). Priority target of Paris Saint-Germain, the defender pleases the Catalans who want to prepare the future and the succession of Gérard Piqué, free in 2024. Barça therefore already has ten targets at zero euros for the next transfer window.
