Barcelona are set to explore their options in the free-agent transfer market as they look to mount a climb to the summit of European football’s best. Having completed the signings of both Eric Garcia (20) and Sergio Aguero (33) from Manchester City, Ronald Koeman’s side are learning from their past mistakes and looking to go down a different avenue.
The 20-year-old has spent the last four years of his career at City, having been plucked out of the Blaugrana’s famed La Masia academy, but has now returned to familiar surroundings one day after Aguero arrived in Catalunya.
Barcelona Look to Invest Smartly in Transfer Market
Memphis Depay and Georgino Wijnaldum on Barca Shortlist of Free Agents
Garcia was unveiled at Barca last Tuesday and will officially join the club on a free transfer when his contract at Etihad Stadium expires at the end of the month.
Barcelona also announced the signing of Sergio Aguero a few days ago. The Argentinian will join them on July 1 when his current deal at Manchester City expires.
Garcia and Aguero Can Give A lot to Barcelona
The Spaniard and the Argentinian may be joining without any transfer fees paid, but they are good enough to make an immediate impact in the current Barcelona squad.
Garcia has been described as a fearless and proactive defender, determined and given his young age will only get better with time.
Aguero on the other hand is a proven world-class striker with 260 goals for Manchester City in his 10-year stint at the club. He may be 33 and injury prone but when to fit, Aguero is a force to reckon with.
Barcelona’s other ‘Free Transfer’ Targets
According to various reports, Memphis Depay is very close to signing a three-year deal with the club. With news that Ronaldo Koeman is set to remain at the Camp Nou as a coach, the process of the transfer has accelerated and could be officially announced in the coming days.
Much like Garcia and Aguero, Depay is a player that should make an immediate impact if he joins the Catalan club. He is known for his ability to cut inside, dribbling, distance shooting and ability to play the ball off the ground. He also has a knack for scoring goals, something that the current Barcelona team direly needs.
Georginio Wijnaldum is another free transfer target on Barcelona’s radar but it seems as though, the Dutch midfielder looks set to join Paris Saint-Germain and link up with Mauricio Pochettino instead.
As reported by Marca, Barcelona might be looking at possible alternatives.
The likes of Hakan Calhanoglu, Fernandinho and Franco Vazquez have beeen mentioned. All of these players are quality footballers that should bolster the Barcelona squad.
Obviously, the Catalans would have loved to acquire the services of the likes of Erling Haaland or Lautaro Martinez, but the financial dent that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused makes it extremely difficult for clubs to go after big money targets.
And so the signing of quality players on a free transfer is a smart move from Barcelona and one that will surely buy them time, at least until the effect of the pandemic subsides.
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