SETTABLOID

The powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona have this week added yet another name to their list of potential attacking reinforcements with a view to next season.

Barcelona may have found a player capable of replicating Gavi’s brilliance within their academy, with Barça Atletic’s Unai Hernandez knocking on the first team doors.

Hernandez has frequently been called up to join the first team, although he has not made his debut in a game just yet.

Nonetheless, coach Xavi and the coaching staff continue to keep a close eye on him, and he consistently participates in the first team’s training sessions.

It is to be noted that the young midfielder is a reliable player for Rafa Marquez and his recent shift to playing more as a central midfielder has enhanced his impact on the game.

Unai Hernandez – Making a case for himself

In the recent victory of Barça Atletic against Tarazona, with a final score of 2-1, the team’s midfield was pivotal in securing the win.

Each player excelled in their role, but Hernandez stood out as a player who not only surpassed expectations but also demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the game, particularly in terms of his ability to read spaces on the field.

This season, he has scored six goals, showcasing his prowess and solidifying his status as one of the reserve team’s most in-form players.

Furthermore, his exceptional ability to drive the play forward has prompted coach Marquez to often position him as a left winger in various matches.

However, the player enjoys his best performances when positioned centrally, closer to the goal. In this role, he has more opportunities to disrupt defences, set up his teammates, and score goals himself.

Considering his form for Barça Atletic this season and the senior team’s struggle with form and fitness, it is only logical for Xavi to hand him his debut and who knows, if everything goes well, he may be promoted to the first team permanently.

FC Barcelona want to strengthen their squad with a winger to play on the left wing in the summer transfer window.

The idea is to bring in a player who can either open up the pitch and attack the byline or, starting from that area, cut inside looking for the opposition’s goal.

The decision on the final profile will also likely depend on the tactical system that manager Xavi Hernandez wishes to use, given the fact that he has tended to lean towards a false-winger on occasions this season.

In any case, there are several players on Deco’s agenda, some with more wing characteristics and others who are suited to play more on the inside.

Names like Nico Williams and Dani Olmo are high on the agenda, but could prove to be expensive for Barça, which is why an alternative has been identified.

Barcelona eye FC Porto’s Pepe

Indeed, as per Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have set their sights on FC Porto winger Pepe as a possible option to reinforce the left flank in the summer.

Pepe is a wide player who joined Porto in 2021 from Gremio for €15 million. A right-footed, skilful, quick player with a great command of the ball, the Brazilian was used as a full-back when he joined the Portuguese outfit.

But manager Sergio Conceiçao restored him as a winger, placing him mainly on the left. In the ongoing season, he has scored eight goals and provided ten assists in 47 games.

The 27-year-old Brazilian is a player that Deco and Barça got a close look at in the Champions League group stages this season, with the forward even scoring against the Catalans at Montjuic.

A cheaper alternative

As mentioned earlier, Barcelona also have their eyes on Dani Olmo, who is well-liked by Xavi and Deco due to his versatile nature. However, he has a €60 million release clause which RB Leipzig do not intend to negotiate, making a deal difficult.

Nico Williams, too, is a player admired at Barça, but his signing from Athletic Club too would cost in excess of €50 million this summer.

As such, Pepe could be seen as a cheaper alternative, with the report suggesting that his market value at the moment is €25 million.

We are only a handful of matchdays away from the conclusion of the 2023/24 season and as Barcelona gear up for the new campaign, the management is said to be assessing player performances and strategizing to build the strongest squad possible.

Throughout the season, Xavi expressed his satisfaction with the emergence of players from La Masia, namely Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Hector Fort among others.

These players have played an essential role in helping the team navigate financial constraints that limited the club’s ability to sign new players during the season.

Xavi’s reliance on players from Barça Atletic has been instrumental, especially given the challenges posed by numerous injuries that have impacted the team’s performance.

However, with the season coming to a close, the coaching staff is aiming to leverage the strengths of both established players and emerging talents from the youth system to forge a formidable team for the next campaign.

Interestingly enough, amidst Barcelona’s financial troubles, these La Masia players have had a massive growth in their market value and here we look at how they made more than €100 million in just player values this season.

Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal is a standout player for Barcelona, even though he is only 16 years old. The young winger made his debut in April 2023 and since then, his growth has been phenomenal, and so has his market value.

Back in August, his market value was around €25 million, but now, just a month before the end of the season, his value has risen to €75 million. He is now the third most valuable player in the squad, just behind Gavi and Pedri.

Pau Cubarsi

He made his official debut on January 18, substituting for Andreas Christensen in the Copa del Rey match against Unionistas de Salamanca.

His maturity and natural talent have led him to partner with Ronald Araujo in Barcelona’s defence during key moments of the season. Thanks to all this, his market value has soared from €1.5 million to €25 million.

Fermin Lopez

The 20-year-old midfielder has earned his place in the first team through his hard work and sheer dedication.

Since making his debut in 2023, his passion and drive have earned him playing time in high-stakes matches, such as the El Clasico and the Champions League round of 16 against Napoli.

Fermin has tough competition in the midfield, but he’s proven his worth by scoring eight goals in important games. His market value has jumped from €300,000 to €15 million.

Hector Fort

Hector Fort, a 17-year-old right-back, made his debut on December 14, 2023, in a 2-3 defeat against Antwerp. Despite his young age, he has played 487 minutes with the first team across different competitions.

Interestingly, Barcelona rejected a €35 million offer for him with plans to extend his contract when he turns 18.

Fort’s versatility and maturity on the pitch make him a promising player for Barcelona and his market value has risen dramatically from €100,000 to €7.5 million since his debut.

Marc Guiu

Marc Guiu is an 18-year-old striker aiming to become Barcelona’s backup forward.

Although he has only played 182 minutes under Xavi, he has had opportunities to play before Vitor Roque.

Guiu has attracted transfer offers, but his goal is to stay at Barcelona. His scoring ability and noteworthy contributions have boosted his market value from €2.5 to €7.5 million.

The balance of power between Real Madrid and Barcelona always changes.

This campaign has been one of suffering for Barca fans, not just because they missed out on silverware, but because their great rivals are the Spanish champions again, with a shot at winning the European Cup too after a, once again, shocking and controversial last-minute comeback win over Bayern Munich in the semi-final.

Overall, the two clubs are neck and neck in head-to-heads throughout their history. Real Madrid has 105 wins, Barcelona has 100 wins, and there are 52 draws between them.

But the trophy case definitively favors Real Madrid in the competitions that matter most. Real Madrid has 36 league titles to Barcelona’s 27. In the Champions League, however, the ratio is much worse. Real Madrid are going for 15 this season, compared to just five for Barcelona.

Now, Barcelona must make the next move. But whether it’s an evolution or a revolution remains to be seen.

Last season, Real Madrid lost La Liga to Barcelona, and were knocked out in the semi-finals by Manchester City in spectacular fashion.

Still, they retained Carlo Ancelotti, who responded with his minimalist, player-friendly approach, en route to a dominant season.

Barcelona, for the time being, are poised to keep Xavi. And yet, there’s a lot of noise already putting pressure on the decision. You just can’t be too happy for too long at this club.

Stability does matter. You can’t hit the panic button every time something goes wrong in the course of a season, or even at the end of a disappointing campaign.

But you do have to be able to properly evaluate your opportunities and your shortcomings.

So what’s the difference between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the present moment? Is everything financial? If that were the case, there’s no reason for hope. Real Madrid can bring in Kylian Mbappe next season, and be even more unstoppable.

But do they even need Mbappe at this point?

They didn’t this season. This time around, the same man in charge that failed the season before, stuck around, even when he had a chance to leave for the Brazilian national team, trusted his players, made a smart tactical change to the system to accommodate the talent he had available to him, and let them find solutions on the field in real time.

Even when, in fact especially when, their backs were against the wall.

That’s one of the brilliant things about Ancelotti. He’s not dogmatic. His mantra is to maximize the potential of the players available to him. Players love him, because he believes in them, and makes them feel important. No one is ostracized. Everyone has a role to play, and they embrace it with enthusiasm when they’re called upon.

The vibes are good. Confidence and camaraderie in the locker room is always high.

Joselu, a secondary but significant character this season, waited patiently for his chance to be the hero, and didn’t waste the chance on Wednesday.

Is it that simple? Does Barcelona simply need to find a better manager who can get more out of the players on the roster?

Or, is it luck? Is Barcelona doomed to this fate?

Real Madrid is Franco’s team. Ever since they sabotaged the signing of Alfredo di Stefano, it’s been clear that there are too many forces conspiring to help them.

Referee favoritism in particular. Ghost goals, offsides decisions, and an antagonistic La Liga president, just to name a few recent examples.

In order to move forward, first and foremost, the inferiority complex that Barcelona has towards their rival should be the first thing to go. From a psychological point of view, it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy that becomes ingrained in the culture. A palpable feeling that affects the players, coaches, and fans alike.

If you care about winning, you have to be about winning.

Talent and technical excellence is an important part of the equation. Real Madrid has enough money to go out and buy it.

Barcelona, meanwhile, has an incredible academy system that allows them to grow it.

The difference is the culture of winning. The championship mindset, which Real Madrid has built into their raison d’être.

Barcelona’s purpose, on the other hand, is clearly built around the mythology of playing the best brand of football.

And if that’s the case, they need to be honest with themselves.

In the end, you can play more attractive football, more dominant football in fact, and still lose.

Manchester City made Real Madrid look small. They were on a different planet of technical superiority. But tactically, Real Madrid did what they had to do to survive, and be in a position, with a bit of luck, to win the game. They understood that their purpose was to win. That’s it. No romance.

Out goes Xavi and Barcelona.

Out goes Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.

Then out goes Luis Enrique and PSG.

All of whom attacked, and tried to be protagonists, but lost to teams who were more pragmatic.

So Barcelona needs to ask themselves the question, what are you all about?

That will be a soul searching question as they rebuild. They clearly don’t know the answer.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, know exactly what they’re here for. And every player who steps onto the field and wears their shirt understands it too.

No giving up. Fight for victory until the end. And again and again, they find ways to shock the world when all seems to be lost.

Barcelona, know thy enemy. Respect your enemy. You can even learn from them.

While they consistently come back to win games they had no right to win, Barcelona, especially in cup competitions, have a history of crumbling under pressure when the victory is in their hands.

This is a paradigm that can’t be ignored. It must be addressed head on, and changed through self-awareness and humility.

You win championships with discipline and with grit. Talent won’t win against an opponent that is tough and united, with a common understanding and motivation toward the mission at hand.

Barcelona needs a culture change above all else.

Questions about the manager, players, and even finances, are secondary.

An insight into the update plans of the powers that be at Dutch giants Sergiño Dest for on-loan Barcelona defender Sergiño Dest has today been forthcoming.

The powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona have reached a final decision on the future of João Félix.

Nico Williams is back on the agenda at FC Barcelona heading into the summer transfer window, with the Catalans looking for a new left-winger.

The Spanish international is seen as a great fit for the profile that the Blaugrana are looking for, with manager Xavi Hernandez also preferring the Athletic Club ace over some other targets.

Williams signed a new contract with Athletic Club last year, and it was believed that the deal consisted of a release clause worth €50 million.

Williams’ release clause higher than €50 million

However, now, Mundo Deportivo reports that Nico Williams’ actual release clause is not €50 million but a figure higher than that.

In fact, the report suggests that the actual figure could be somewhere close to €60 million.

Either way, the amount would be non-negotiable and Athletic Club would expect any interested party to shell out the entirety of his release clause value.

The brass at French giants Paris Saint-Germain are ready to do their utmost to ease Xavi Simons away from a potential reunion with Barcelona this summer.

An insight into the plans of the powers that be at La Liga giants Barcelona when it comes to the contract set to be afforded to the incoming Guido Rodríguez has on Thursday been provided.

Midfielder Guido has of course seen his name take its place front and centre in the media headlines in Barcelona for several weeks now.

As much comes after confirmation was forthcoming on the part of a host of sources that negotiations over the terms of a pre-contract had been kicked firmly into gear between the parties.

This comes ahead of the expiration of the Argentine’s deal with La Liga rivals Real Betis.

Reports across the day to date have pointed towards an agreement being all but sealed, with Guido’s arrival in Catalunya’s capital something of a foregone conclusion.

And Barcelona insider Toni Juanmartí, late this evening, has moved to provide a further insight into the situation.

The Diario Sport journalist assures that, though an accord between the parties is close, it is not yet finalised, with details still to be sorted through.

Barca’s plan as things stand is to offer Guido a two-year contract, featuring the option for a third.

This, though, will depend upon the club’s ability to get their Financial Fair Play situation back under control.

Xavi, for his part, has long given the green light to the arrival of the World Cup winner, whom he views as the ideal low-cost addition to his under-manned midfield ranks.

And it should also be noted that Guido’s arrival will in no way rule out the signing of another, more high-profile ‘pivot’ this summer.