Barcelona were linked to 141 players during the summer transfer window – here are the names.
Considering that Barcelona entered the market with a great deal of uncertainty around their financial resources, the summer transfer window was a remarkable one for them.
However, the Blaugrana were able to sign up to eight new players during the summer transfer window by pulling a few economic levers and offloading undesired players, with Robert Lewandowski being the Catalan giants’ biggest signing.
The La Liga heavyweights were unable to pass on a few big targets including Bernardo Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Barcelona was linked with a number of players over the summer, as is the case with any transfer window. The Catalan giants were associated with 141 players (!) in total throughout the transfer season, according to data compiled by Questra on Twitter.
Goalkeepers
Given his recent lackluster performances, Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s future had been questioned going into the summer. Due to Neto’s impending departure and the potential loaning out of Inaki Pena, the Blaugrana were also unsure of their backup goalie.
Several goalkeepers were connected to Barcelona, including Luis Maximiano of Granada and Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea, among others. However, the Catalans ultimately elected to keep ter Stegen and Pena as their No. 1 and No. 2 goalies, therefore there were no newcomers to the position.
Defenders
Barcelona needed reinforcements across the backline since defense was a big area of concern going into the market. And during the previous few months, a number of names have been circulated as prospective targets for the Catalan heavyweights, one after another.
Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerin, and Marcos Alonso were ultimately acquired by the Blaugrana. The right-back position was a primary target for Cesar Azpilicueta, and Inigo Martinez was also strongly associated with the position.
Among the 61 defenders that were linked, Thomas Meunier of Borussia Dortmund, Noussair Mazraoui of Bayern Munich, and Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid were some of the other significant targets for the Catalan giants.
Midfielders
In order to solve their financial problems, Barcelona entered the market with the intention of signing another midfielder and trying to sell Frenkie de Jong. The Catalans made numerous attempts to sign Bernardo Silva up until the day of the transfer deadline without success.
As prospective long-term successors to Sergio Busquets, Ruben Neves, Martin Zubimendi, and Aurelien Tchouameni were also mentioned, however Barça delayed their hunt for that position until next summer.
While there were shocking claims of interest in Paul Pogba, Isco, and young players like Alberto Moleiro and Carney Chukwuemeka, Fabian Ruiz was another long-term goal who was once more linked. Barcelona signed midfielders Franck Kessie and Pablo Torre out of a total of 31 midfielders who were linked.
Forwards
Barcelona was looking to bolster its frontline once more despite signing three new attackers in January.
Prior to joining Manchester City, Erling Haaland was the main target; as a result, they were forced to turn to Robert Lewandowski. Additionally, Barcelona put up a strong fight to snare Raphinha from Chelsea.
Paulo Dybala was mentioned, as is customary every summer, while the Manchester United combo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford were also rumored to be on the club’s radar. On deadline day, the team also tried to sign Dani Olmo but was unsuccessful.
Aside from Luis Suarez, the club also made an approach for other prominent strikers Raheem Sterling, Sadio Mane, Lautaro Martinez, and Romelu Lukaku.
