Chelsea midfielder’s agent spotted in Barcelona amid rumours of 2023 free transfer

With Pedri (19), Gavi (18), Nico Gonzalez (20), Frenkie de Jong (25), Franck Kessie (25), and Pablo Torre (19), Barcelona have largely sorted out their midfield for the short and long-term.

However, finding a replacement, or even an alternative for Sergio Busquets remains a huge problem.

The Spaniard becomes a free agent in the summer of 2023, and has shown no intention to renew his contract. In fact, the popular notion suggests he may be off to MLS to play at David Beckham’s Inter Miami.

Consequently, the next few months will be focused on finding someone who can replace Busquets in the centre of the park.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Ruben Neves, and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi lead the race, but Barcelona have also been linked with Chelsea’s Jorginho. And recent rumours from Giacomo Locabellis suggest the Italian’s agent was in Barcelona in the last few days.

Jorginho, while on the ‘wrong side’ of 30, is set to become a free agent when the 2022/23 season comes to an end.

Barcelona have indulged in Bosman transfers over the course of the last three windows, acquiring Eric Garcia, Memphis Depay, and Sergio Aguero in the summer of 2021. Then Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the winter of 2022, before Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen were also brought in by the time summer hit this year.

It would, therefore, not be surprising to see Barcelona target Jorginho. Especially considering the hurdles Zubimendi and Neves’ transfers are likely to set.

Sociedad are already looking to renew the Spaniard, which will make the negotiations terribly difficult for Barcelona. They will likely have to shell out his release clause – €60 million -, to sign him.

As for Neves, it is said that the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal are chasing his signature, even though the player prefers Barcelona. The club will not enter a bidding war, and will only sign him if he chooses to reject moves to other bidders.