A fresh insight into the plans of the powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona to reinforce the club’s midfield with a view to next season has on Sunday been provided.
The info comes courtesy of Marca, and points towards Barca’s priorities as having somewhat shifted.
It has of course long been common knowledge across the continent that the middle of the park has been identified as the area in most immediate need of reinforcement in the Blaugrana’s squad.
Deco and co. have been on the lookout for a new ‘pivot’ for some time now, to add a new dimension to incoming boss Hansi Flick’s ranks.
As much looked set to come by way of the addition of Guido Rodríguez, with whom Barcelona sewed up a verbal agreement several weeks ago, ahead of the expiration of his terms with Real Betis.
Recent days, however, have seen the move thrown into doubt, amid claims of the Catalans turning their attentions elsewhere.
And, as per the aforementioned Marca, the latest info suggests that precisely as much has led the board at the Camp Nou to La Liga rivals Valencia.
With the incoming Flick understood to have requested a more mobile option to cover for the ongoing absence of Gavi, the Guido operation has been ‘frozen’.
And in its place comes the Javi Guerra option.
Valencia standout Guerra has been identified as a player whose characteristics better ‘fit the needs’ of Barcelona, for next season.
It is therefore concluded that:
‘Having been following the player for some time, he could be one of Barcelona’s reinforcements for the next year.’
21-year-old Guerra would be expected to set the Blaugrana back a sum in the region of €20-25 million.
Conor Laird | GSFN
