Top 5 reported targets for Barcelona in the summer

Barcelona are still unbeaten in the league and are on course to do the domestic double but the abysmal nature of the team's exit to AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals after a 4-1 lead in the first leg have dampened the emotions around the team.

The uber-cautious style of play adopted by manager Ernesto Valverde and the excessive dependence on Lionel Messi for goals and inspiration is not sitting well with some Culés.

There will be a considerable number of changes at the Camp Nou next season in terms of playing personnel, and quite a few of the irregularly used players are expected to be shipped out of the club in the summer.

Given the huge expenditure on Ousmane Dembélé and Philippe Coutinho this season, the board led by Josep Bartomeu will need to be smart in which players it seeks to bring in.

Here is a list of 5 players that have already been linked to Barcelona by the press, and the chances of the transfers happening:

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#5 Anthony Martial

The Frenchman is said to be tired of life at Old Trafford

This is one of the more interesting transfer stories concerning the Blaugrana. The 22-year-old has not been a favourite of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho in the two seasons the Portuguese has been there and there are strong indications that the Frenchman's time at Old Trafford is up.

Up until Alexis Sanchez joined the Red Devils in January, the French international had been in and out of the squad and had been having a decent enough season but stories about Mourinho being exasperated with the winger's attitude and perceived laziness have continued to go around.

The Barcelona attack has been often slow and undynamic depending solely on the fullbacks (Jordi Alba and whoever plays on the right) and Dembélé for pace and width. Martial's explosive pace and dribbling could come in handy and help the attack.

Martial joined in 2015 on a four year deal with an option to renew for one year so United still have leverage as it concerns any potential sale. A figure of £60m has been quoted for the Frenchman as United will want to recoup part of the £36m paid to AS Monaco.

Chances of the deal happening: 4/10

#2 Clément Lenglet

Lenglet (R) is being lined up in the event that Umtiti leaves

This deal is certainly conditional on the rumoured exit of Samuel Umtiti as his pay-rise/contract renewal issues with the Barcelona board drags on.

Club supremo Bartomeu is well aware that the club paid well over the odds for Philippe Coutinho and Dembele as the selling clubs: Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund were well aware of the €220m that Barca had received from PSG for the sale of Neymar.

The club is said to be desperate to avoid such a scenario and if an agreement cannot be reached with Umtiti's agents, the club will make an immediate move for the 22-year-old centre-back.

Similar to Umtiti in terms of being left-footed and French, Lenglet has been one of the better players for Sevilla in what has been a curious season for the Andalucian side.

Composed on the ball and good in the air, the ex-Lille player is also a good tackler as evidenced by his tackling average of 1.8 per game this season.

The Frenchman is already La Liga tested and would be expected to step in for his countryman almost immediately were he to move to the Camp Nou.

While Umtiti's buyout clause is said to be €60m, Lenglet could cost Barca half of that as his release clause with the 5-time Europa League champions is said to stand at €30m

Chances of deal happening: 6/10

#3 Álvaro Odriozola

The flying Spaniard has been watched by Barca scouts extensively and will be a great buy

Regular watchers of La Liga will have seen why time and again, the Catalans have been linked to the 22-year-old Real Sociedad right-back. It goes without saying that the Spaniard is one of the most talented young players in La Liga and his performances since he was called up to the national team have only served to underline his incredible potential.

Blessed with blistering speed and a superb crossing ability, he has been one of the most dangerous fullbacks in the league and would fit in perfectly with the ethos at Barcelona where fullbacks are regarded as key to both attacking and defensive moves.

Right-back has been a difficult-to-fill position for the Blaugrana since the exit of Brazilian trophy-collecting legend Dani Alves and various players: Aleix Vidal, Douglas, Sergi Roberto have been tried there since Alves' exit with none convincing Valverde completely.

Given his age and nationality, Odriozola seems the perfect fit to ensure that alongside summer signing Nelson Semeedo, the right side of the defence is covered for the long term.

Said to have a release clause of €40m, meeting it will not be a problem for the Catalans.

Chances of a deal happening: 7/10

#2 Christian Eriksen

The Dane's creativity is needed at the Camp Nou

Despite the fact that the team already has Phillippe Coutinho in its ranks, manager Valverde is still believed to be unhappy about his midfield options.

Ivan Rakitic is said to be a target for Manchester United and with the increasing rumours about Iniesta moving to China, the Catalans are said to be looking at Spurs' Danish midfielder as a potential two-in-one replacement.

Eriksen's ability at set pieces, playmaking and skills would be vital in helping to speed up the attacks of the Blaugrana and combined with Coutinho and Messi, Barca will not be short of creativity in the team were he to sign.

His creativity while playing in a team with high-tempo as Spurs without losing his innate sense for creating chances and passing range means he would be perfect for helping Valverde speed up the play for the Catalans and wingers Dembele, as well as the full-backs, would feed off the many chances he is capable of creating.

The Dane is held in high regard by the Spurs management and coach Mauricio Pochettino and any potential deal for the 26-year-old will not be cheap as Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is a notoriously difficult negotiator.

Chances of the deal happening: 4/10

#1 Antoine Griezmann

The Frenchman is a priority signing for the Catalans

All season long, the stories about the future of the 27-year-old Frenchman has been one of the biggest headline makers in Spanish football. It is almost certain that the Atletico Madrid fraternity of club and fans are sick and tired of the constant speculation and would be glad for a resolution this summer, one way or the other.

FC Barcelona have allegedly been tracking the star man for months now but while a deal is feasible on paper, the practicality of it may be a bigger issue.

Barca have one of the biggest wage bills in the world and adding the considerable wages which Griezmann will surely demand to the already excessive salary budget may need to see the departure of some players already at the club.

The rumoured departure of a big earner like Andres Iniesta and the plan to sell players like Paco Alcacer, Andre Gomes, and other sellable assets may be a way to raise the funds needed

The qualities of Griezmann are well known to the Barca board and Cules as his intelligence, speed, finishing and other world-class abilities mean that a significant part of the scoring and creative burden currently being shouldered alone by Messi would be relieved

The 27-year-old has a €100m buy-out clause which any interested club would have to meet to get his signature so it would be in the club’s best interest to conclude any possible deal before the World Cup to avoid entering into a bidding war.

Chances of the deal happening: 5/10