Barcelona considering Real Betis ace as pivot; Xavi likes him, board has doubts

Barcelona have their work cut out for them in the summer transfer window as they look to reinforce their team with several signing across the starting lineup and bench.

Signing a backup for Robert Lewandowski was always on the cards, while the club was also looking to bring in a left-winger and a central midfielder. Jules Kounde’s unwillingness to play as the right-back also meant Barça are also on the lookout for a right-back.

If that was not enough, Barcelona have been hit by the departure of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, both of whom will leave the club at the end of the season. While the club have Alejandro Balde and Marcos Alonso to cover for Alba, Busi’s position remains unfulfilled.

Recent reports from the ever-reliable Gerard Romero have stated that Barcelona have six names to reinforce the pivot position. One of those names is Real Betis’ Guido Rodriguez.

Xavi likes the player and his profile, but Barça’s administration has doubts regarding the signing.

Now 29, Guido has made 32 appearances for Betis this season as they are looking to secure a position in next season’s Europa League season.

He is far from the only name on the table for Barcelona, though, who are also considering the likes of Oriol Romeu, Ruben Neves, N’Golo Kante, and Martin Zubimendi also doing circles in the rumours.

Apart from them, Barcelona are also keeping tabs on 18-year-old Belgian wonderkid Arthur Vermeeren, who currently deploys his trade for Royal Antwerp in the Belgian Pro League.

Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich was also on Barcelona’s radar. He, according to reports, had offered himself to the club recently as he wants to leave the German giants this summer.

However, Barça have ruled out his signing, and will focus on the alternatives, all of which should cost much less than Kimmich.