La Liga club will set a very high asking price for Barcelona’s Busquets replacement

Speaking on the Siempre Positivo Podcast, journalist Toni Juanmarti has claimed that Barcelona could face difficulties in their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi due to Real Sociedad’s very high asking price for the midfielder.

Barcelona will prioritise the signing of a new defensive midfielder next summer as they look to move on from captain Sergio Busquets. The veteran star is in the final year of his contract and could leave for the MLS, thus accentuating the need for a new player to take over from him.

And, as per reports, Zubimendi has emerged as the No. 1 target for Barça to replace Busquets in the side. The Catalans are already laying out groundwork over a move for the 23-year-old Spanish midfielder next summer.

However, Barcelona could encounter some hurdles in their pursuit of Zubimendi as Real Sociedad see him as a key player and will demand a huge transfer fee to part ways with him next year.

Zubimendi is protected by a release clause worth €60 million, with reports claiming that La Real are already planning to hold talks with the midfielder to tie him down to a new contract and potentially increase his release clause amount.

A product of the Real Sociedad academy, Zubimendi has already made 101 appearances for the Basque outfit and has one cap for the Spanish national team so far.

The 23-year-old midfielder has performed admirably for Imanol Alguacil’s side and has shown characteristics that could make him a viable replacement for Busquets. However, his transfer fee could pose a hurdle in Barcelona’s attempts to land him next year.

Wolves and Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves is another name under consideration, but he will also likely command a significant fee. So, it will be interesting to see who Barça decide to sign as they prepare a succession plan for captain Busquets.