FC Barcelona’s plan for next season: these are the players they would target
The Blaugrana side is already planning for the upcoming transfer window, taking into account that it is a World Cup year.
While FC Barcelona remains deep in the trenches of the current campaign, the club's board is already sketching out the blueprint for the future. Strategic planning for the 2026-2027 season is moving at a rapid pace; at a club of this magnitude, the biggest decisions are never improvised—they are meticulously calculated. The sporting directorate has identified three specific positions that require elite reinforcements to ensure a sustained leap in quality.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, recent summits between the technical staff and the board have established a clear set of priorities. The objective is to sign a left-footed center-back, a high-impact winger, and a world-class striker to eventually succeed Robert Lewandowski. The criteria for all three are non-negotiable: they must be proven stars with elite experience and the ability to provide an immediate impact.
1. The Defensive Pillar: A Left-Footed General
The defense is a primary area of concern. Barcelona is searching for a left-footed center-back who offers not only defensive solidity but also the "hierarchy" to lead from the back and initiate play under pressure.
- The Dream Target: Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City). At 23, the Croatian is considered the gold standard for this role. However, his astronomical price tag and the difficulty of prying a starter away from Pep Guardiola make this a "maximum difficulty" operation.
- The Alternatives: If Gvardiol remains out of reach, the club is looking toward Italy and Germany. Alessandro Bastoni, the pillar of Inter Milan’s defense, and Nico Schlotterbeck, the physical reference point for Borussia Dortmund, are the top names on the shortlist.
2. Securing the Flanks: The Marcus Rashford Option
In the attacking third, the plan to stabilize the wings is already well-advanced. Barcelona is seriously considering triggering the buy option for Marcus Rashford. The English international, currently on loan from Manchester United, has revitalized his career in Catalonia.
His pace, verticality, and international pedigree have fully convinced Hansi Flick. The fixed clause, rumored to be around €30 million, is viewed as an absolute bargain in the current market, provided Rashford maintains his high level of performance through the end of the season.
3. The "Post-Lewy" Era: Julián Álvarez
The most significant "bet" is reserved for the number nine position. As Robert Lewandowski enters the final stretch of his legendary career, the urgency to find a successor has intensified. The name that has generated the most consensus within the club is Julián Álvarez.
Currently at Atlético Madrid, "The Spider" possesses the exact profile Barcelona craves:
- Mobility: Ability to drop deep and link play.
- Sacrifice: Relentless pressing, which is vital for Flick’s high-intensity system.
- Proven Pedigree: A World Cup winner who knows La Liga perfectly.
While the operation would be neither simple nor cheap, the board is determined to make a massive financial effort to make the Argentine the face of the new offensive project.
The Financial Reality
This ambitious roadmap depends heavily on Barcelona’s ability to navigate Financial Fair Play and the sporting results of the current season. However, the intent is clear: to build a squad that is not only balanced but prepared to reclaim its throne as the king of Europe.
Would you like me to draft a tactical breakdown of how Julián Álvarez would fit into Hansi Flick's current system alongside Lamine Yamal?
