Barcelona is expected to enter the market next summer in search of a new midfielder.
Due to the financial problems facing the Catalan club, they can only sign Oriol Romeu in 2023 and a younger player is being sought by the club’s board.
Xavi Hernandez has always been a fan of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. Barcelona explored the possibility of signing the 24-year-old in the summer but quickly backed out due to financial reasons, however, it seems the Blaugrana will attempt to sign him again.
Catalan media outlet Sport have reported that Barcelona are prepared to make an effort to sign Zubimendi next summer. Sociedad on the other hand are said not to negotiate under any circumstances, so his €60 million release clause will have to be activated in order to reach a deal.
Zubimendi is seen as a strategic signing by Barcelona. He is still young, so he could play in the first team for many more years, but he has proven himself at the highest level as well.
However, it remains to be seen if there will be any improvement financially at Barcelona, otherwise such a transfer would be unaffordable for them.