Barcelona will have to make some tough decisions on the summer 2024 transfer market if they want to afford world-class players at their biggest positions of need.
La Blaugrana are still looking for a Sergio Busquets replacement in the defensive midfield, while their struggles in LaLiga this season have highlighted the need for a top-scoring left winger.
According to a report from Diario Sport, Barcelona are considering selling Frenkie de Jong in the summer 2024 transfer window as a sacrifice so they can afford to sign a world-class No. 6.
De Jong was arguably the best midfielder in LaLiga last season when he helped lead Barcelona to the league title, but he has been a little disappointing in 2023/24, perhaps suffering from the lack of support Busquets gave him in the “pivot” role.
The subject of transfer rumors in the summer 2022 transfer window, de Jong stayed on and proved the doubters wrong, averaging 1.4 key passes and 2.5 combined dribbles completed and fouls drawn per game.
This season, de Jong is averaging fewer key passes and interceptions per game while not even clearing a dribble completed per match.
Any number of teams would be interested in signing de Jong, and if the Dutchman can be convinced to leave this time around, Barcelona could get well over 50 million euros for the 26-year-old, even without the benefit of leverage.
That could be enough to sign a dream target like Joshua Kimmich or Martin Zubimendi for the 6 position, but the problem is that there is no guarantee either world-class defensive midfielder will be available.
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