FC Barcelona remain in a rebuilding phase, with the team beginning to take shape under Xavi Hernandez. The financial woes of the Catalan giants are not over, but things haved to fall in place. The results on the pitch haved recognizing the turnaround for the club.
La Blaugrana were able to bring in a few players in the January transfer window. Ferran Torres arrived from Manchester City, while Adama Traore and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Barcelona from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal. The performance on the pitch has continued to improve, and last week Barcelona thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-2 and drew over the weekend with local rivals Espanyol.
Xavi is looking to bring in another midfielder in the summer and is targeting Real Betis player Nabil Fekir.
Fekir wanted at Barcelona
Xavi is gradually rebuilding Barcelona, as the team targets a top-four finish this season. Barcelona is tied on points with Atletico Madrid for fourth place but has a superior goal difference.
Xavi is already looking ahead to next season and has his eyes on Real Betis midfielder Nabil Fekir. The midfielder has been a standout player for Betis this season. Betis are also chasing a Champions League spot and are in third place ahead of Barcelona.
Xavi would like to bring the skill and guile of Fekir to Camp Nou next season. According to Goal, the Blaugrana are plotting a summer move for the Frenchman. The report suggests that Barcelona is ready to submit a bid as high as €60 million for the 28-year-old. The figure in question may not be enough to convince Real Betis to part with their prize asset.
Goal understands that Betis would hold out for a figure closer to a hundred million. A figure of around €80 million is what Betis want.
Fekir in impressive La Liga form
Fekir joined Real Betis from Lyon in 2019. The Frenchman could have been plying his trade in the Premier League but a deal did not work out. In 193 appearances for Lyon, Fekir has scored 69 goals and contributed 46 assists.
Since his move to Real Betis in 2019, Fekir has not matched his tally at Lyon, but he has been very useful for the Spanish side. For Betis, he has scored a paltry 19 goals in 100 appearances. Fekir has continued his fine form for the Spanish side this season. He has scored seven goals and contributed seven assists in 29 appearances.
Barcelona would struggle to raise €80 million for the midfielder. It is an inhibiting price for a 28-year-old. Barcelona would be better off channelling that kind of money towards their interest in Erling Haaland.
Another area that Barcelona should focus on is their defense that has been leaking goals.
With Daniel Alves, Gerrard Pique and Jordi Alba on the wrong side of 30, Xavi would need to focus on replacing them.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
