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By Martin Graham | 9th Mar 2022
Barcelona have identified the goalkeeper position as another role to strengthen in the squad, according to reports.
The Catalan giants are in for a big summer after identifying several targets and making good progress with them in order to completely overhaul their squad.
Defenders (Andreas Christensen, Noussair Mazraoui, Cesar Azpilicueta) and forwards (Erling Haaland) are the club’s key targets, as reported so far, until recently when Mundo Deportivo claimed that Barcelona will be looking to sign a goalkeeper in the summer.
The decision, per the report, is to provide more competition for Marc-Andre ter Stegen who has been between the sticks for Barcelona for eight seasons as an undisputed starter.
The German has, in that time, been one of the world’s best goalkeepers and still remains in that discussion on the strength of his past performances.
However, his levels are dropping and the club is hoping to provide him with some solid competition next season to help keep him on his toes and to prepare for a possible transition.
The Mundo Deportivo report goes on to state that a few targets have already been identified including Luis Maximiano of Granada CF, Yassine Bounou of Sevilla, Illan Meslier of Leeds United and Alban Lafont of Nantes.
A few other goalkeepers across Europe are also possible targets for the Blaugrana, whose scouts are reportedly active on this duty.
Maarten Vandevoordt of KRC Genk and Bartlomiej Dragowski of Fiorentina are two of the other goalkeepers being looked at.
This news could mean the sales of La Masia graduates Arnau Tenas and Inaki Pena, who have been in the first team dynamics for a while.
Erling Haaland convinced of Barcelona project
Elsewhere, reports claim that Barcelona are closer than others to signing Erling Haaland in the summer, as the 21-year-old is convinced of Xavi Hernandez’s plans.
Earlier this month, Barcelona president Joan Laporta met with the striker and had a conversation with him on signing. Xavi also met with the striker, but claimed his discussions were not about joining but just about football in general.
The operation for Haaland could see the successful club spend up to €250 million and with financially capable clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid interested, Barcelona don’t stand a good chance.
Hence the tactics they have employed this far: meetings and special invites. It all seems to be working as Haaland is reported to have had his interest piqued by Barcelona.
Mino Raiola, Haaland’s agent, is also in favour of the striker playing for Barcelona.
The final decision, however, rests with the striker.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
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