- 13 hours ago
Five expiring stars Barcelona want to sign in 2023
Barcelona have been the most prolific team in European football in recent years when it comes to signing players on a free transfer.
In the summer of 2022, the Blaugrana picked up AC Milan’s Franck Kessie, Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen and Marcos Alonso, and Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin on Bosman Transfers when their contracts expired at their respective clubs.
In the summer of 2021, Barcelona signed Man City’s Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia, as well as Lyon’s Memphis Depay on a free transfer. Later on in the 2021-22 season, they would re-sign Dani Alves for nothing and also bring in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for free in the January window.
The summer of 2023 is set to follow exactly the same path for Barcelona.
According to widespread reports in the Spanish media, Barcelona are lining up a host of free transfers at the end of the current season.
Free Transfer Barcelona
It is believed that Barca could sign as many as five players on a Bosman transfer.
The main area that is being targeted is the centre of midfield. At least one of Chelsea duo Jorginho and N’Golo Kante is the most likely free transfer to arrive.
The midfield pair have been instrumental players for the Blues over the past few years, especially during the club’s 2021 Champions League success.
However, both are now the wrong side of 30 and see their contracts expire at the end of the current season.
Chelsea have no intention of renewing both players, indeed the chances are both will leave on a Bosman.
Man City’s Ilkay Gundogan, also 31, has been admired by Barcelona for many years and manager Xavi believes he is the perfect fit for his style of play.
Gundogan’s deal expires at the Etihad at the end of the campaign and it is increasingly unlikely he will extend his stay.
Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko’s future is up in the air as he still hasn’t signed a new contract there.
Moukoko is wanted by virtually every big club in Europe but Barcelona are considered favourites due to the attacker’s reported admiration for the Camp Nou club.
According to Sport, Moukoko dreams of joining Barcelona.
The final expiring player who is being heavily linked with Barcelona is Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha.
The 29-year-old has been a constant for Palace since returning for his second stint in 2014, and has become a club legend, keeping them in the Premier League and helping them challenge for more.
A move to Barcelona would be something of a shock but the Catalan side are forever eager to add to their attacking options, and see Zaha a bargain.