Barcelona planning five signings in the summer including Chelsea duo

A front-page report from Mundo Deportivo has claimed that Barcelona are looking at signing as many as five new players in the summer transfer window.

The Catalan club are in desperate need of strengthening several positions, and signing a new centre forward is on the top of their agenda. Apart from that, acquiring a new right-back, a central defender, a left-back as well as a midfielder is on the list too.

For that, Barcelona have their priorities straight, with Borussia Dortmund frontman Erling Haaland topping the list. They do have Pierre-Emerick Aubamyeng on their roster, but the club are looking to sign a franchise striker that can be relied upon for years to come.

The defenders’ market is a rather straightforward deal with Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta and centre-back Andreas Christensen reported to be the prime target. The contracts of the Chelsea duo expire at the end of the season. While the Blues’ management is adamant on renewals, the parties have failed to reach a middle ground.

For Azpilicueta, it is more or less have to do with the length of the contract. While Chelsea are offering a one-year extension, as is their policy for players over 30, the Spanish veteran is looking for a lengthy contract; something that Barcelona are willing to offer.

Christensen, on the other hand, is demanding an improved contract with a better salary. It is believed that Chelsea have already tabled their proposal, but the Denmark international is yet to put pen to paper.

Furthermore, the left-back position is something that Xavi wanted to strengthen in January itself, but a lack of options midway through the season forced the 42-year-old to settle with the squad at hand.

Names such as Nicolas Tagliafico and Alex Grimaldo were linked with a short-term move, but Barça’s interest has always been on Valencia captain Jose Gaya.

Gaya’s current Valencia contract runs down in 2023 and while Los Che are working on offering a new deal, there has been no development from either side so far.

Meanwhile, Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic is expected to be the final piece of the puzzle. It is said that the Blaugrana already have an offer of a five-year deal worth €8 million per season ready for the Croatian. But Inter are hopeful of tying down the midfielder on a long-tenured deal.

Brozovic is currently allowed to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with teams outside of Italy as his ongoing deal with Inter expires at the end of the season. Despite that though, the player is said to have been close to agreeing terms over a new contract with the Serie A champions themselves. Hence, if Barcelona are to pry him away, they need to act fast.