Barcelona identify three low-cost alternatives for 30-year-old midfield target

Having seemingly given up on their pursuits of Martin Zubimendi and Joshua Kimmich to reinforce the pivot position, Barcelona have shifted their focus to Inter Milan mainstay Marcelo Brozovic.

The 30-year-old has been on the club’s agenda since January and it appears that the Catalans are ready to make a move for him this summer to replace Sergio Busquets.

However, Barcelona are facing stiff competition from Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr, who are offering him a lucrative long-term contract. So, there is a possibility that Brozovic might not arrive in Catalonia in the summer.

As such, Mundo Deportivo’s Roger Torello is reporting that Barcelona have already compiled a list of three ‘low-cost’ alternatives for Brozovic in case the Inter Milan star does not join.

The first name on that list is Real Betis mainstay Guido Rodriguez. The 29-year-old Argentine international is a player that Xavi Hernandez likes and has the most chances of joining Barcelona if the primary targets do not arrive.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is entering the final year of his contract and Real Betis will let him leave given their financial situation. Furthermore, the report even states that he could be available for as little as €12 million, making him an appealing option.

The next name identified as a possible low-cost alternative for Brozovic is Villarreal’s Dani Parejo. Like Rodriguez, the 34-year-old too is entering the final year of his contract, and given his age there may be a chance that the Spaniard arrives for lesser than the Argentine.

Parejo is a vastly experienced player and has shown himself to be adept at playing as a pivot. And he could be a short-term solution for Barça until they can get their finances sorted.

Finally, Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat also features on Barcelona’s list. The Moroccan has been on the radars for a long time now, but his signing could be difficult as the midfielder is keen to resolve his future right away, and the Catalans cannot move right away due to the FFP situation.

So, as iterated earlier, if Brozovic does not arrive, Rodriguez could be the most likely option that Barcelona turn to this summer.