Barcelona are preparing for another ambitious season after reclaiming the La Liga title last term. Hansi Flick guided the Catalan side to their 29th league crown and a perfect home record.
The club also lifted the Supercopa de España during another impressive domestic campaign. However, Barcelona fell short in Europe and exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
That disappointment has triggered another aggressive summer rebuild at Spotify Camp Nou. Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi have already arrived to strengthen the attack.
Meanwhile, Ansu Fati and Inaki Pena have both departed to create room in the wage bill. Attention has now shifted towards strengthening the defence before the transfer window closes.
According to reports, Barcelona are tracking two players who will face each other in Sunday’s World Cup final.
The first is Aymeric Laporte, who has enjoyed an outstanding tournament with Spain, as per Cadena COPE (via Mundo Deportivo)
The defender has started every match and helped his country concede only once in seven games. His partnership with Pau Cubarsi has become one of the stories of the competition.
Laporte also impressed during his return to Athletic Bilbao last season after leaving Saudi Arabia. The 32-year-old made 30 appearances and quickly established himself as a key figure in defence.
The second option is Cristian Romero, who has also shone on the international stage. The Argentina international scored against Egypt and produced a dominant display against England in the semi-finals.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Romero is expected to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer. Barcelona are closely monitoring that situation alongside Atletico Madrid.
However, Tottenham Hotspur’s asking price could complicate any potential deal. Barcelona are also unlikely to move for either player unless they create space in the squad first.
Want to get the latest transfer news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
