SETTABLOID

After a spectacular breakout last season, Alejandro Balde has not been able to replicate his success this time out because of an injury he sustained earlier in the year.

The marauding full-back picked up an injury during the Copa del Rey match between Athletic Club at San Mames.

Balde started the game but had to be substituted by Hector Fort after just 22 minutes. Tests afterwards showed that the youngster suffered an injury to the tendon in his right hamstring that required surgery.

While the Catalan giants have sorely missed his defensive assurance on the left flank in big games this season, his involvement for Spain in the upcoming Euro is not a distant possibility.

Return in sight

Indeed, according to Mundo Deportivo, Balde’s season with Barcelona has ended, but he is not excluded from the Euros this summer.

The tournament kicks off in Munich on Friday 14 June and ends with the final in Berlin on Sunday 14 July.

With approximately a month to regain full fitness, there are chances of him recovering in time to join the Spanish national team.

The medical team is working closely with him, and he remains focused on regaining peak conditions, with recent images posted on social media suggesting that he is entering the final phase of his recovery.

If Balde’s rehabilitation goes as planned, he could still play a crucial role in Spain’s quest for the title under the leadership of coach Luis de la Fuente.

However, Barcelona would want to proceed cautiously with his comeback, considering previous relapses caused by returning from injuries too soon and the intense demands of international football.

Nonetheless, he is expected to be a key part of Xavi Hernandez’s plans next summer, with Joao Cancelo’s future up in the air.

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde is reported to be attracting transfer interest from as many as five of Europe’s biggest clubs – including three from the Premier League.

Kounde was a high profile €50m signing from Sevilla in 2022 and has been a regular across each of his seasons at the club so far, both as a centre-back and right-back.

But Barcelona’s financial limitations continue and a group of five central defenders in the current squad is set to become six in summer once Eric Garcia’s loan at Girona ends. It points to one being sold, with Kounde and Ronald Araujo easily commanding the highest market value.

Araujo has already been heavily linked with Bayern Munich, as well as Manchester United and Chelsea, while Mundo Deportivo writes that United and Chelsea are also showing interest in Kounde – both clubs had been linked prior to his 2022 transfer to Camp Nou. But Paris Saint-Germain, Inter and nouveau-riche Newcastle United are also said to be in “the race” too.

Kounde has a contract with Barcelona until the summer of 2027, which should strengthen the club’s ability to command a premium fee for the 25-year-old.

The Frenchman has primarily been of use to Barcelona on the right of the back four. The arrival of Joao Cancelo last summer on loan from Manchester City had allowed Kounde to play in his more favoured central role, only for long-term injury to Alejandro Balde in January to force the Portuguese to cover on the left instead and recreate the void on the right to be filled.

Cancelo’s preference is to complete a permanent switch to Camp Nou, while Balde should be fit again next season, having undergone successful surgery on his hamstring tendon.

Estevao ‘Messinho’ Willian has become one of the most sought-after young prospects coming through from Brazil, with a host of top European teams vying for his signing.

The Brazilian wonderkid has also been heavily linked with a move to FC Barcelona, who have a good relationship with his agent, Andre Cury.

Furthermore, the Palmeiras gem had himself gone on the record stating that he dreamt of playing for the Catalan heavyweights.

But, Barcelona’s financial situation was always going to make the signing difficult and it now appears that Estevao will slip out of the Catalans’ hands for good.

Chelsea agree personal terms

Indeed, as per Fabrizio Romano, Premier League big-spenders Chelsea have now reached a verbal agreement over personal terms with Estevao Willian.

Earlier this week, we reported that the Blues had entered into talks to sign the 17-year-old prodigy, who can move to Europe next year once he turns 18.

Things have moved quite swiftly now, with a verbal agreement over personal terms in place.

Negotiations with Palmeiras are still ongoing, with a first bid worth around €32 million plus add-ons set to be submitted imminently.

Estevao has a release clause worth €60 million in his contract and Palmeiras will seek a total package that will meet that value.

It was something that was out of the question for Barcelona at this point given their financial situation.

Furthermore, the La Liga giants have other, more pressing needs to address in the squad, such as the signing of a new pivot and a left-winger, among others.

As such, Estevao will not be fulfilling his dream of playing for Barcelona for now, with Chelsea the favourites to clinch his signing.

Sergi Roberto has spent the entirety of his career at Barcelona, having risen through the ranks at the club’s factory of talents, La Masia.

Roberto made his debut for Barcelona’s first team in 2010 and continues to be a part of the squad dynamics.

As he nears the end of his contract, the possibility of him hitting the exit door has garnered some attention.

But the Barcelona management coaching staff values Roberto’s presence highly, with the club naming him captain just last season.

Roberto will renew for one more season

Reports earlier suggested that the Spaniard aimed to acquire a contract renewal for two additional years.

Now, COPE have come out to report that Sergi Roberto has agreed to renew his contract with the club for one more season, with an option to extend for an additional year.

This means he will remain with the team through the upcoming season, and Barcelona holds the discretion to extend his contract for another year based on his performance or team needs.

The agreement is finalized, but his agent is still waiting for the updated documents from Barcelona.

The 32-year-old is said to be keen to play in the revamped Camp Nou before exploring an opportunity in Major League Soccer.

Although Roberto isn’t a guaranteed starter for the Catalan giants, the club values his versatility, especially as he is one of the team’s lowest-paid players.

He is recognized as a reliable utility player who can fill in capably during squad absences or injury crises.

And despite his fatal error against Girona most recently, which saw him gift wrap a goal to the opponents, Barcelona still intends to carry on with his renewal.

It is beyond perplexing to imagine a scenario where the financial troubles of Barcelona would just vanish away. The Catalan giants remain in deep trouble when it comes to their economic situation, but they continue to find alternative options. Even now, despite their worries, Barcelona hope to continue building a better team next season.

Yet, that does not mean that every player from this season will retain their place. Many of the Barcelona players who have been deemed as under-performers during this campaign will be placed in a limbo of sorts where Barcelona would be more than open to listening to offers for them.

Very few players will ultimately manage to avoid this rather worrying fate. Among them, the likes of Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal are some of the obvious shouts. However, according to SPORT, another name at Barcelona could find himself remain at the club for another season based off of the respect he has gained from the coaches.

Andreas Christensen, aged 28, continues to be one of Xavi Hernandez’s most trusted soldiers. The people at Barcelona especially seem to respect his determination to continue playing and showing up for the team even in tense moments and despite the fact that he has been asked to constantly switch up his position.

After being instructed to play as a pivot, the Danish defender filled that role perfectly. Moreover, he also managed to contribute crucial goals to the team in high-profile games such as the ones against PSG, Real Madrid, and even against Girona.

While the objective would be to have him return as a central defender next season, his ability to be versatile enough to play as a pivot continues to impress Barcelona. On the other, he arrived on a free transfer from Chelsea and a potential sale could generate nothing but profit for Barça. On the sporting side of things, however, it seems that Xavi and his staff have no complaints about Christensen.

Barcelona are considering rehiring former Champions League winning manager Luis Enrique in 2025, should Xavi Hernandez fail to extend his contract, reports in Spain claim.

Enrique led Barcelona to Champions League glory in 2014/15, in what was his first season in charge of the Catalan giants. He also won two La Liga titles and three successive Copa del Rey during his three-year tenure, also winning the Super Cup and Club World Cup.

The 54-year-old opted to leave Barcelona at the end of his contract in 2017 before taking on the Spanish national team job, and is currently in charge of Paris Saint-Germain.

Enrique tasted disappointment on Tuesday night as PSG were eliminated in the semi-finals of this season’s Champions League, but his work in the French capital – which saw his side knock out Barcelona in the last eight – has seemingly piqued the interest of his former employers.

Spanish publication SPORT state that one eye is being kept on Enrique as Barcelona make contingency plans in case Xavi, whose contract runs until the summer of 2025, does not stay on as head coach.

The legendary former midfielder was due to leave Barcelona at the end of the season after announcing in January that being the club’s boss was a “cruel, unpleasant” experience and a “terrible drain on your mental health.”

But following an uptick in results, as well as receiving significant backing from Barcelona’s supporters, Xavi eventually reneged on his decision – having spent months denying that he would – and highlighted “trust” from president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco as key components in changing his mind.

He also failed to rule out signing a contract extension at Barcelona, though it remains to be seen whether or not a new deal would be offered if the club fail to wrestle back their recently lost La Liga crown from Real Madrid.

Enrique’s contract at PSG also runs out next summer after he signed a two-year contract to replace Christophe Galtier in July 2023.

Barcelona have been given hope they can sign Xavi Simons in the summer transfer window due to a clause in his current contract.

Xavi is already said to have asked Deco to try and bring in Simons and the rumor mill has now offered an update on the situation.

Mundo Deportivo are reporting Simons has a clause that lets him his choose his destination if he goes out on loan again – and he wants Barcelona.

Simons is said to have a meeting scheduled with PSG chief Nasser Al Khelaïfi to discuss his future amid interest from Xavi’s side.

And that’s likely the part where it gets tricky. Simons is said to be keen to return, but you can imagine PSG aren’t mad about the idea of him moving to Barcelona.

The 21-year-old has spent the season on loan with RB Leipzig, and impressed in the Bundesliga, but is now due back to his parent club where a decision will need to be made.

Barcelona’s financial situation means a loan is the only way they can land Simons right now as PSG would not let him leave for less than €100 million.

According to Jijantes (h/t Mundio Deportivo), Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has a release clause set at €60 million in his contract.

This means that if Barcelona want to secure a deal for the midfielder, they must be prepared to pay that amount, which is a substantial financial commitment.

However, in order to accommodate such a significant expense, Barcelona would need to undertake major sales of their existing players as well, something that they are already working on.

Deco’s meeting with Zubimendi’s agent

Despite the financial constraints Barcelona continue to face, their sporting director, Deco, recently took a proactive step towards potentially acquiring Zubimendi.

Deco met with Zubimendi’s agent yesterday to discuss the possibility of the transfer. The motivation behind this meeting seems to stem from the fact that Barcelona’s coach, Xavi, has expressed a strong interest in bringing Zubimendi to the team.

Xavi considers Zubimendi as one of his top targets and an essential addition to the squad, reflecting his vision for strengthening Barcelona’s midfield.

Interestingly enough, he caught the attention of Xavi, who believes he is the ideal candidate to fill the void left by Sergio Busquets at the club.

Xavi sees him as the perfect replacement for Busquets because of his playing style and potential to excel in the role that Busquets held at Barça.

Recent reports suggest that Deco had an extended meeting with the midfielder’s agent, which lasted around an hour and a half.

While this interaction hints at possible discussions regarding the player’s future and potential move to Barcelona, the player’s focus is currently on the upcoming game against Barcelona on Monday.

As of today, nothing related to Zubimendi is confirmed as the only way Barcelona can sign him is by paying his release clause, something that remains a big problem for the team.

Barcelona are being linked with a move for Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa who has been optimistically described as the ‘Norwegian Neymar.’

Nusa, who is known for his dribbling ability, has been linked with a host of clubs this season after impressing in the Belgian Pro League.

Barcelona are the latest club who are said to be interested in the 19-year-old and have received good reports on the youngster.

Nusa is currently valued at around €17 million, making him a low cost option, although he is contracted to Club Brugge until 2027.

Xavi is said to be keen to bring in a left-sided forward this summer and is believed to have a wishlist of Nico Williams, Dani Olmo and Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Nusa would be a far cheaper option, which may suit Barca given their financial difficulties, although he obviously lacks top-level experience and has never played in La Liga.