On a midweek night, Barcelona secured a 2-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League. The win added to their remarkable season opening run, with Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres both contributing goals to their success.
A notable name in the transfer rumor mill is Julian Alvarez, a striker for Manchester City, whose potential acquisition is expected to cost Barcelona £80 million. Alvarez’s rise to fame was propelled by his key role in Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. His performance for Manchester City has garnered interest from clubs across Europe, and Barcelona sees him as a prime candidate to succeed Robert Lewandowski, who is approaching the twilight of his career. The 23-year-old Argentine has made an impressive mark this season, tallying seven goals and five assists in 15 appearances across all competitions. It’s worth noting that Real Madrid is also pursuing Alvarez, which could drive up the transfer price.
Additionally, Barcelona has its sights set on Presnel Kimpembe, a midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain. This interest in Kimpembe arises from uncertainties surrounding the futures of Andreas Christiansen and Jules Kounde, both of whom arrived at Camp Nou just last year but are already linked to potential departures in 2024. To address this issue, Barcelona has identified Kimpembe as a potential solution. The French defender’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain is set to expire in less than a year, and he is currently sidelined due to injury. If Paris Saint-Germain fails to extend his contract, Kimpembe could become a free agent next summer, making him an attractive prospect for Barcelona on a Bosman transfer.
Notably, there were rumors about Chelsea’s interest in Gavi, a Spanish midfielder who has become a key figure for Barcelona under the guidance of Xavi. However, Fabrizio Romano, a renowned transfer specialist, refuted these claims. Barcelona has been facing financial challenges, and there were speculations that they might need to part ways with star players like Gavi to alleviate their financial burden. Some reports even suggested a potential transfer fee of around €100 million for Gavi, with Chelsea as a possible destination. Romano clarified that, as of his knowledge, Barcelona is not in an urgent situation to sell players. Both Gavi and Pedri are considered vital components of Barcelona’s project.
In the current season, Gavi has featured in 12 games across all competitions, contributing two goals and one assist for Barcelona.
