The coming days are going to be defining for Barcelona as a number of key decisions are going to be made. The squad is shaping up nicely when it comes to the attack, but there are still some additions that need to be made in the defense department. Last season, it was the leaky backline of the Blaugrana that pretty much cost them the season barring the Copa Del Rey victory.
Ansu Fati was one of the major talking points of the last season before the 18-year-old got injured in November, an injury that would rule him out for the rest of the season. The Spaniard’s recovery has been slow but effective. A new report coming in from the Spanish publication, Marca understands that the 18-year-old is ready to step back into the action and is waiting for the ‘go-ahead; signal from the Blaugrana medical team.
Fati underwent surgery for his kee problem but his recovery was complicated and the winger had to undergo another procedure to set things on the right track once and for all. Consequently, Fati underwent another surgery in Porto last month and is now said to be working with a physiotherapist in Madrid.
If the reports are to be believed, Fati could well be on his way to playing at the Camp Nou once again and the player is said to be targeting the pre-seasons to get into a nice rhythm before the start of the next season.
Samuel Umitit endured yet another disappointing and difficult season with the Blaugrana as the Frenchman featured in only 826 minutes in the 2020/21 season. Umtiti has been battling recurrent injuries since the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup 2018. Umtiti, 27, is currently earning £11 million at the Camp Nou and not many clubs are interested in signing the 27-year-old due to his high wages.
Barcelona recently completed the sale of Konrad La Fuente to Marseille and the Ligue 1 side is also said to be sniffing around to sign Umtiti, as per Marca. The Frenchman’s wages, though, remain a stumbling block for them. The player at the moment remains in total control over his future as his contract does not run out until 2023. Barcelona are said to be planning to meet with the player and his agent to convince him to accept a wage cut and a loan move.
At the moment, the former La Liga champions have got a swelled-up squad consisting of 32 players and they need to trim it down before the start of the pre-season. Umtiti is said to be working hard in the gym to get into a proper shape before Barcelona start their preparations for the next season. The player is said to be determined to prove himself under Ronald Koeman and is not said to be in favor of a move away from the club this summer.
Next up are the Jose Gaya and Barcelona links. The Valencia man has been linked with a move to the Camp Nou in recent weeks but the Blaugrana’s delicate financial situation and Valencia’s asking price for the left-back is a stumbling block for the former La Liga champions. The 26-year-old is being eyed as the long-term replacement of Jordi Alba at the club and despite Valencia’s rumored interest in Martin Braithwaite, they are looking for cash for the 26-year-old.
It remains to be seen how the negotiations proceed as Barcelona could try and include Martin Braithwaite in the deal.
Lionel Messi’s contract situation at Barcelona received a boost as reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter confirmed that Messi is very close to extending his contract with the club for another two years. The announcement is said to be a matter of time as the parties involved are finalizing the last details of the contract.
Messi looks set to finish his professional career at Camp Nou, the stadium where it all began for the 34-year-old. The Argentine is also believed to have accepted a pay cut to help support the club during these difficult financial times.
