Barcelona hoping to link three major renewals in the next year – the future of a key player in doubt
Barcelona may have been relatively tight-lipped in their transfer moves this summer, but with several key contracts to negotiate, there may not be too much in the way of big spending next summer. While President Joan Laporta has set a lofty goalat home the sports directorate has identified three priorities.
With a number of key players out of contract over the next two years, the futures of veterans Inigo Martinez and Robert Lewandowski will likely be decided, while Pablo Torre, Hector Fort, Gerard Martin and Inaki Pena will struggle. for their spots. MD report that Barcelona will seek to renew Pedri's agreement as a number one priority, and already the talks are in the right direction.
Next on their list will be 20-year-old Gavi, who is coming off the back of a major knee injury. There is optimism that they will be able to reach an agreement with Gavi, however, and the Sporting Deco Director has contacted his agent Ivan de la Pena to express his desire to renew his deal.
In early August, during a video call when Barcelona were in the US for pre-season Nico Williams gave the OK to Laporta and Deco… before changing his mind a few hours later. @alexpintanel
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) October 14, 2024
Finally, central defender Ronald Araujo will be his third priority. Another who has struggled with injuries, Araujo was heavily linked with a move away from the club before his injury this summer, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich all mentioned as options. Araujo has yet to respond to an offer that was presented in February, and Barcelona believe it should be his agents who make the next move.
However, Araujo appeared noticeably more excited by Hansi Flick's project, and hinted during conversations with Deco and Laporta that the project will be the most important factor when it comes to making a decision on his future.
This of course casts doubt on the future of important players who are not on the list. Andreas Christensen is perhaps not a surprise, but Frenkie de Jong he is also out of contract in 2026. Either Barcelona do not see him as a key part of their next five to ten years, or they do not feel it is possible to make a deal with the Dutchman.
