LWijnaldum’s refusal has meant a setback for Barcelona who believe they have tied the Dutch player. However, at the last minute the PSG “passed in front” of the Barcelona club, as Ronald Koeman himself recognized in Sport and the operation was ruined. It was a very important reinforcement for Barcelona because there is no excess of troops in the core. At least, of troops that convince the coach.
For this reason, once it closes the incorporation of Depay, the great objective of Barcelona in this market becomes a middle center. The Barça team needs a strong player to reinforce the core that complements Busquets, De Jong and Pedri, the three starting midfielders. Koeman does not have Pjanic or Ale, who will come out in this market. Riqui Puig remains, although he is not a footballer who fully convinces Koeman. Technically he is good, but physically he is outmatched by the opponents. And later the question remains Ilaix. The club has offered him the renewal since it considers it a solid bet for the future, but the midfielder has other offers and at this moment it is not known what will happen to him.
Faced with this situation, the club has set to work in order to reinforce that mid-center position. It shuffles several alternatives and the player who arrives will be very determined by the evolution of the market and the opportunities that arise. In Can Bara there is not much money to sign so we will have to look for some change with the players that are in the squad.
The economic problem continues to be Barcelona’s great handicap. He could not compete with PSG in the signing of Wijnaldum because he did not reach the offer of the French. Another player they have followed is Mikel Merino, but its price at the moment is prohibitive considering that Aperribay is bound to the rescission clause. It is a ruled operation.