'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Jose Luis Gaya | Valencia
Barcelona have also been linked with a move for Valencia's Jose Luis Gaya this summer. According to Marca, Gaya has been identified as an ideal replacement for Jordi Alba, should the veteran left-back leave the club this summer.
Trending
The 26-year-old is currently the captain of Valencia and can play either as a left-back or left-midfielder. Last season, he scored one goal and provided seven assists for Los Che.
With Alba currently among the top earners at Barcelona, Gaya would probably be a cheaper and younger option for the club. However, Alba is determined to stay at the Camp Nou. He said:
“I have three years remaining on my contract and I feel able to complete them. The decision of the club is there, but my intention is to stay at Barcelona for life.”
#2 Renato Sanches | LOSC Lille
After joining LOSC Lille as the club's most expensive signing, Renato Sanches helped his team win the Ligue 1 trophy in his second season. His value has since soared even higher after those performances and his displays at Euro 2020. Barcelona are now amongst the many clubs eager to sign the 23-year-old this summer.
According to AS, Sanches may join the Blaugrana if Koeman's side fail to strike a deal for Saul Niguez. However, Lille's asking price of €35 million is a stumbling block for Barcelona, who will be unable to afford such a high fee this summer.
At the moment, a loan with an option or obligation to buy seems more likely to take place. In his two seasons in France, Sanches has played in a variety of midfield positions. The Portuguese is also adept at passing, dribbling, crossing and set-pieces.
He has also been likened to Patrick Vieira by some fans. Vieira himself praised Sanches and said:
"Everybody was waiting for him to be one of the top young players for the future. He moved to Bayern Munich where he had a very difficult period. I don’t think it was the right place for him to keep developing. But last year with Lille, he did really well. He wasn’t really consistent during the season, but he had some flashes of his talent."
#1 Saul Niguez | Atletico Madrid
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are reportedly in talks over a swap deal involving Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez. The former joined Barca in the summer of 2019 but could return to his old club as Barcelona look to trim their wage list. Meanwhile, Saul graduated from Atletico Madrid's youth academy and has been playing for them ever since.
After winning the La Liga title last season, however, Los Rojiblancos are ready to let Niguez leave. Saul hardly featured for the Spanish champions, starting just 22 La Liga games as a change of formation by Diego Simeone significantly reduced his playing time.
In addition to Barcelona, Saul has also garnered interest from Liverpool. Speaking about the transfer speculation, Atletico manager Simeone explained:
"We cannot put aside what is rumoured and talked about. If he has to leave, give him a big hug, wish him the best with the boys who gave us life and to continue being friends, as always. Either to Barcelona or elsewhere.”
