MX23RW : Thursday, May 16 06:14:53| >> :60:200:200:

Chelsea trio 'among six players lined up by Barcelona'

Chelsea trio 'among six players lined up by Barcelona'
© Reuters
Barcelona reportedly line up six players as part of a major squad rebuild next year, including three Chelsea defenders and a Manchester United attacker.

Barcelona have reportedly earmarked as many as six players to sign as part of a major squad rebuild at the end of this season.

The Spanish giants have been plunged into financial insecurity over the past year, losing Lionel Messi as they were unable to afford to keep him and also being limited to free signings during the summer.

New president Joan Laporta has insisted that he will look to strengthen his side in January following their early exit from the Champions League, having crashed out in the group stages for the first time in more than two decades.

However, Barcelona will be forced to sell before they can buy, with the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Sergino Dest, Samuel Umtiti and Philippe Coutinho all understood to be available for transfer.

Laporta is also looking to eventually phase out the longer-serving members of the squad such as Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba.

Even then, Barcelona's strategy for incomings could rely on free signings, and The Mirror reports that Catalan outfit have identified six players who could join for nothing in the near future.

Among those are Chelsea's defensive trio Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta, although Rudiger is deemed the most unlikely of those due to the lucrative offers he is expected to receive elsewhere.

Former Barca youngster Andre Onana is another player on their radar to replace Ter Stegen in goal, while Manchester United's Anthony Martial is also on the shortlist following his admission that he is keen to leave Old Trafford.

Martial could be available on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy, although Man United's asking price for the Frenchman could put him out of Barcelona's reach.

Barca are also thought to be considering a move for Real Sociedad midfielder and former Manchester United man Adnan Januzaj, who is another player out of contract next summer.

ID:472640:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4689:

Click here for more stories about Lionel Messi

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Joan Laporta pictured before the Barcelona presidential election on March 7, 2021
Read Next:
Joan Laporta insists Barcelona will strengthen squad in January
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37277393336088
2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Chelsea371791175621360
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle371761481602157
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd37176145558-357
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton371212135560-548
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!