Barcelona in contact with the Chelsea midfielder in the event of a change in priorities
Ahead of the summer, it seemed clear that Barcelona's priority for the transfer window was a midfielder to help anchor the side, as rival teams flooded in last season. However, it seems the priority has changed.
Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has been declared their priority target as he continues to impress at Euro 2024, and it appears that remains the case, despite the arrival of Dani Olmo. The Blaugrana had previously pursued Amadou Onana, and shown interest in Mikel Merino, both of whom looked set for Premier League moves.
New manager Hansi Flick has also publicly stated that he is happy with his midfield options this season, following the impressive pre-season performances of Marc Casado and Marc Bernal. But before his tour in the United States, Sport they say that they still intend to sign a midfielder, and they had also been in contact with Chelseait's Carney Chukwuemeka. If Flick should change his mind in the final three weeks of the transfer window, then he will be their priority.
Frenkie de Jong's intention has not changed for the moment: the Dutchman's wish is to stay in Barcelona. @Glongari
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 9, 2024
The Blaugrana consider his versatility and dynamism to be an attractive part of the package, and have been working on ways to strike a deal with Chelsea, after inquiring about the 20-year-old. He expected more contact from Barcelona, but the Catalan daily notes that an agreement is unlikely. If the Director Sporting Deco is given the task of negotiating with Chelsea, then a move is described as complicated, but not impossible due to the lack of minutes in preseason under Enzo Maresca.
It is worth remembering that Barcelona were interested in Chukwuemeka before they made their €18 million switch from Aston Villa two summers ago. The Blaugrana were linked with him again in April. Since Onana and Merino were the two alternatives, it seems that Barcelona and Deco are definitely affected by a more physical presence that can eat the ground going both ways, rather than a positional pivot, if they are to go on the market.
