The new kits for all La Liga clubs in 2022-23 have been revealed and that must mean the season isn’t too far away.
Granted, there is still, presumably, much transfer business to accommodate over the next few months, but the release of the kits gives you an indication that players are returning to pre-season training.
What interests me is the situation Barcelona find themselves in as they juggle seemingly unending financial balls to bounce back into the big time – something they will need to achieve to come close to catching up on Spanish and European champions Real Madrid.
They have made a start by confirming the double captures of Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen on free transfers.
Kessie, 25, should boost the Catalans’ midfield following five years at AC Milan where he finished his time as a Serie A champion.
Likewise, Christensen has signed a deal until 2026 and is due to be unveiled to Barca fans later this week. The Dane decided against renewing his deal with Chelsea.
There’s no doubt that both are good players, especially on free transfers. Yet a bigger test for the club will surely be to assess who they can attract via transfer fees.
To attract their main targets, they may have to offload Frenkie de Jong and it’s reported while the club and Manchester United have already reached an agreement over a fixed fee of €65 million, the issues lie in how to structure potential add-ons.
Another midfield man, Miralem Pjanic, is due to return from loan but he is also expected to depart the club, with his high salary the only issue for potential suitors.
Indeed, to save some money, it looks like a number of players will say farewell over the next few weeks.
In defence, Samuel Umtiti, Oscar Mingueza and Clement Lenglet are closing in on their respective departures.
The former is heading to Rennes, who are negotiating a formula with Barcelona to avoid covering his entire salary. Meanwhile, Mingueza is in talks with Monza and Lenglet is set to sign for Spurs on a season-long loan deal.
Up front, Robert Lewandowski appears to be Barcelona’s primary target, although German champions Bayern Munich are not willing to let him leave, while Ousmane Dembele is a free agent with the two parties still in talks over a potential contract renewal.
Regardless of what happens, Barcelona still have the talent to create many La Liga 2022 highlights next term.
Yet there is a reason why they are quite a way behind champions Real Madrid in the SBOTOP La Liga 2022 betting odds and that is because uncertainty seems to be at their every turn, unlike Real who already secured some eye-catching deals within a few weeks of the last campaign concluding.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Antonio Rudiger will only enhance the squad Carlo Ancelotti is developing and gets the very best out of with a collective will to win and know-how.
We do know of one departure from the Spanish capital, though, with Luka Jovic on the verge of joining Italian outfit Fiorentina according to reports. Negotiations had initially centred on a loan but Jovic will sign a two-year deal with Viola with the option of two more years.
Across the city, Atletico Madrid are another club which needs to strengthen to be able to push Real closer.
It’s been suggested the 2021 champions could reignite their long-standing interest in Italian international Federico Bernardeschi. He is available as a free agent after being released by Juventus following the expiration of his contract in Turin last month
Despite playing a regular role for the Serie A giants in 2021/22, the club opted against offering the 28-year-old an extension, and he is now looking for a new challenge.
Back to Barca and two other players may well prove the most difficult to attain.
Sevilla have accepted that the Frenchman Jules Kounde will leave the Sanchez-Pizjuan this summer after fighting off rival interest for the past two years. Barca appear to be the frontrunners for his signature but, again, their big issue could be producing the right financial package.
Likewise, English Premier League club Leeds United have also accepted that Brazilian international Raphinha will leave to play at a higher level.
Over the past two seasons, he has become one of the most explosive players in England and, while Arsenal and Chelsea are understood to be pushing hard to sign him, Barcelona are his preferred destination.
What happened to the days when their finances did not cause such a hotch-potch!
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