Cash-strapped FC Barcelona have been seeking new players in every position to improve their squad for the now-underway 2021/2022 season, with the summer transfer window officially ending in under two weeks’ time on August 31.
That Lionel Messi is irreplacable on the front line following his switch to PSG, everyone knows.
Yet the Catalans have never been short of options up top with their various widemen.
Further down the pitch, however, Philippe Coutinho is fancied by coach Ronald Koeman to kick on in Blaugrana and has been offered the Argentine’s sacred number 10 jersey.
Still injured from last term, however, the Brazilian is currently preparing his comeback while a Pedri who has not stopped since breaking through to the first team last July while taking Spain to the Euro 2020 semifinals and Olympics final is in need of a rest.
His captain Sergio Busquets getting on in years, there is currently only Frenkie de Jong in the center of the park who doesn’t come with an asterisk, as 18-year-old La Masia product Ilaix Moriba has forced his way out of the club with his father and agency’s greedy demands regarding a new contract.
Rather than go out on the market with barely a penny to spend, however, reinforcements have been under Barca’s nose the whole time with Ronald Koeman expertly discovering three new youngsters in preseason.
Alongside Yusuf Demir and Gavi, Nico Gonzalez has been talked up as FC Barcelona’s new midfield signing this campaign who first impressed the Dutchman in a recent game between the B reserve team and the Juvenil A.
“He is a very young player who has made the move to the first team squad,” Koeman said, of the 19-year-old who “increases the rhythm of the game”.
“We know we have a pivot in him,” the manager addded, which makes him the perfect back up for Busquets that will still allow De Jong to play in a more advanced position in the midfield three of a 4-3-3.
The son of Deportivo La Coruna 90’s legend Fran, Gonzalez has been on Barca’s books since the age of 11 and made his Liga debut on Sunday when afforded a late cameo in the 4-2 opening day win over Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou.
Koeman originally planning on capturing compatriot Gini Wijnaldum or a more physical presence, the Galicia native has stepped into the void left by Moriba and will compete with Gavi for minutes heading forward.