On Sant Joan day, Inter Miami announced that Sergio Busquets will wear pink next season, like Leo Messi. While Barcelona still has no replacement for its starting midfielder of the last 15 seasons, who was also the captain who lifted the League 22-23. In the offices of Can Barça they have known since May 9 of Busquets’ decision. And yet they still can’t find that relief that, according to Xavi Hernández, was “the key” to planning to have a competitive squad.
In this month and a half, several doors have been closed to Barcelona. He has not just hit the key to replace the pivot. Marcelo Brozovic also moves away after Inter Milan have an agreement in principle with Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia. The Croatian, finalist in the Champions League and the Nations League, was not the priority but he was an option that he liked a lot, both for his distribution criteria and for his winning character. At 30, he is considered to be in a moment of maturity and, after playing for Nerazzurri since 2015, he was also in agreement with a change of scenery.
The footballer is attracted to the challenge of playing for Barça, following in Rakitic’s footsteps, but the Saudi league has meddled and, instead of dressing as a blaugrana, Brozovic may end up sharing a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo. Inter accepts 23 million for a footballer who cost them 5 and is fully amortized while, if he signs, the Croatian will enter 60 million in four seasons, a figure much higher than what Barcelona can offer him.
Today is the day that the operation must be completed between the three parties. Only Brozovic’s refusal due to his willingness to put himself under Xavi’s orders could prevent the agreement with Riyadh.
Finding the organizer is Barcelona’s main objective this summer, but the search is taking longer than desired. The delicate economy of the club influences but it is not the only reason. First they came across that Martín Zubimendi wants to play the Champions League with Real Sociedad. The man from San Sebastián, who will inherit the number 4 from Illarramendi in San Sebastián, has a termination clause of 60 million, which is high but manageable in other years. Especially if the incorporation of him is considered essential. The underlying problem for the interests of Barça is that Zubimendi (24 years old) has declared himself committed to the realistic project.
For their part, Bayern Munich was quick to deny that they could part with Joshua Kimmich after getting angry about the score from Barcelona. The German midfielder (28) fits the style perfectly but he has two more years on his contract and the Bavarians are a negotiating bone, as was seen with Lewandowski.
In the event that Brozovic ends up escaping, two folders would be opened in the sports dome that were kept for scenarios of extreme need, such as the one he is entering. The names of Dani Parejo (Villarreal) and Oriol Romeu (Girona) have always been to Xavi’s liking. Parejo is 34 years old and Romeu turns 32 in September, so they would be a bridge alternative to gain time for a possible arrival of Zubimendi in 2024. It would also be a solution if Nico wins an opportunity – he can go out on loan again – or even for Frenkie de Jong to establish himself in the position.
