3 alternate players that could thrive at Barcelona

#1 Adrien Rabiot

Caen v Paris Saint Germain - French League 1 — Rabiot would strengthen Barca in the middle of the pitch

Having helped Barcelona to claim a domestic double last season, club legend Iniesta and Brazilian midfielder Paulinho both left for Japan and a return to China respectively.

As a result, their absences has left a significant hole in Barca's midfield and forced the Blaugrana to scour the world for ideal, quality replacements. But while the club has already been linked with a wide range of players, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot could be their ultimate solution on a long-term basis.

The 23-year-old was an ever-present presence in Unai Emery's side which claimed the Ligue 1 title last term, racking up 50 appearances (across all comps) under the Spaniard's tutelage. A highly-talented and intelligent player, Rabiot has the potential to prove a success at the Camp Nou, given his excellent passing range, decent link-up play and smart movement.

Reports have suggested that they are already working towards a €40m deal to lure him away from the Parc des Princes this summer.

About the author

Jidonu is a European and international football news writer at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and has around 7 years of previous experience working with the likes of Tribuna and SportRaba, Jidonu has a good eye for detail and has the ability to created cohesive articles, and reporting exploits have also led him to exclusively cover the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the past.

Jidonu’s tryst with football started after watching the 2002 FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, being mesmerized by Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Barcelona philosophy and approach towards the game under Pep Guardiola further fueled the burgeoning love for the sport, and he has been a Culer ever since.

Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi is his favorite player and is the one true GOAT for him over Cristiano Ronaldo. The 2022 FIFA World Cup final, where Messi's brace led to La Albiceleste lifting the cup left a lasting impact on him. His love for Messi also sees him follow Major League Soccer apart from Europe’s top five leagues.

In his free time, Jidonu raps and produces music, and also enjoys reading and swimming.

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Edited by Mosope Ominiyi