Barcelona are looking to reinforce their midfield desperately, and have set their sights on a fair few players across Europe’s top-five leagues. Not only does the team need cover in central midfield after Gavi’s injury, but also desperately need a pivot.
Sergio Busquets’ departure left a huge gaping hole in the middle of the park, which was unsuccessfully filled by Oriol Romeu. While his performances were decent to begin with, they have only gone downhill since.
As such, Barcelona are now actively looking for a player that can plug that hole over the long-term. It is clear that Xavi’s first-choice in that role is Martin Zubimendi, who has a €60 million price tag, making his signing almost unfeasible.
They are also looking at Joshua Kimmich as a possible option, while also keeping tabs on several others like Guido Rodriguez, Arthur Vermeeren, and Wilfred Ndidi.
A new name has come up meanwhile, in the form of Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, as per a report by SPORT.
A heavy price tag
Douglas Luiz has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season, and only recently signed an extension that took his deal to the summer of 2026. As such, signing him will not be cheap.
Aston Villa’s director of football, Monchi, could ask for nearly €100 million for his signature, especially if the Birmingham outfit qualify for the Champions League next season.
Arsenal strong contenders
And if the price tag was not enough for Barcelona, they will be far from alone in the race for Luiz’s services. The big clubs from the Premier League are interested in signing him, including Arsenal, who made an attempt in the summer, as well.
The Gunners consider him the ideal midfielder to reinforce their midfield, and will likely return to pursue him in the summer, even if it means shelling out another €100 million, after signing Declan Rice for a similar price last summer.
