Transfer Rumours V6

Setien as as coach

while you were on that subject
had bookmarked to read this some time ago

El Fenómeno
Ronaldo’s jaw-dropping 1996-97 season at Barcelona

https://thelab.bleacherreport.com/remembering-ronaldo-at-barcelona/?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-UK

Rumor has it that Rabiot has agreed to join Barca for free in the summer.

Also from what I understand we have yet to offer Rakitic a contract extension. So if I had to guess, one of Rakitic or Vidal (or both) will leave in the summer and be replaced by Rabiot.

I have to say, I don't see what the fuss about Rabiot is. Kind of like when we got Arda, I felt it was really pointless as I felt Rafinha was basically the same player and was already on the squad. I don't see Rabiot as a world beater and I think with time Alena can become superior to him.

It seems Abidal has a hard on for him though and he is pushing hard for it. On the bright side we would take one of the few midfielders PSG has away for nothing. So on that end, it pleases me. Plus Rabiot is like 9 years younger than Rakitic and Vidal, so it is time to weed out the older guys. I just don't see Rabiot as player that fits our midfield profile. Everytime I see him he's very meh

He is meh indeed. Why not get Ramsey for free if you're trying to be a bargain hunter?

Ramsey is on the same boat as Rabiot imo. Both are meh. Both can have a random good game here and there but that's about as far as they will go.

Notice since Abidal took over for Robert Fernandez he's been basically showing a preference for French players. Umtiti, Dembele, Lenglet, and now Rabiot. We are also linked with a french LB named Mendy from the French League to be Albas back up. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I think that explains why they want Rabiot over Ramsey.

Rabiot for free would be fine as a rotational option but in general it doesn't really makes sense..... if Abidal wants to go for French players he should be going more in the direction of Ndombele or Fekir. Because we want to progress not digress, right...

I'd take Ramsey over Rabiot any day.

Ramsey is much more of a fighter who could turn up in big games. Rabiot on the other hand is a complete beta.

I agree Ramsey has random excellent games but it appears he hit his peak years ago. Don’t forget we still have Gomes out on loan. So next year we would be adding Rabiot and Gomes would return from loan with an older Rakatic and Vidal still on the squad? That’s a joke.

Didnt want to create a separate thread but budget buys seem to be the only option before us right now. So Rabiot makes sense from that perspective. We have a mountain of debt which can't paid down because of the highest wage budget among sports teams on the planet. And have to fund Espai Barca. So budget buys or buys after sales make sense.

Anyone have a list of what everyone makes? Pretty ridiculous the wage bill is so out of hand

I think wages need to be competitive. Players dont play for charity. End of the day, it is a job for most of them and like working professionals, most footballers want to be paid as much as possible. We are an elite club and should pay elite wages. But there is no reason why we should be paying 30 to 40% more than other elite clubs. That is simply ridiculous. Especially, when it is not backed up by trophies. There is no justification for our wage bill when Madrid have won the last 3 CL's on the trot.

Apparently Rabiot will get 13m net, which is outrageous. I sincerely wish we start thinking of a sensible wage structure. In Messi's twilight years, the message needs to go out that we wont give over the top wages, especially for every random average scrub; which Rabiot is.
We should pay competitive wages but our wage bill should in no way exceed Madrid's, United's, City's or PSG's. Nothing more, nothing less.

Nonsense signing. Alena just showed we don't need Rabiot, even for depth.

Rigui Puig also needs to be given more chances. Boy is pure quality.

alexjanosik wrote:Apparently Rabiot will get 13m net, which is outrageous. I sincerely wish we start thinking of a sensible wage structure. In Messi's twilight years, the message needs to go out that we wont give over the top wages, especially for every random average scrub; which Rabiot is.
We should pay competitive wages but our wage bill should in no way exceed Madrid's, United's, City's or PSG's. Nothing more, nothing less.

Honestly I think the only reason they have a hard on for Rabiot, and will do whatever it takes to get him even if it means paying him nonsense wages is just to stick it to PSG. Both clubs clearly don't like each other, and taking Rabiot for free is a thing to piss of PSG imo. Because honestly he isn't needed at all. He is a slightly better version of Gomes which isn't saying much. And there is De Jong who is available next summer who would be a better option.

I don't want to have a starting midfield of Gomes and Rabiot next season. That's just junk.

Btw if you look at guys 30 or above in our midfield going into the summer would be Vidal, Rakitic, and Busquets.

Then lets say we remove 3 guys we know are likely going to leave, or will never play in Samper, Denis Suarez and Rafinha.

That leaves our midfield for the future with Arthur, Alena, and Gomes who is coming back from loan. Gomes will likely be sold to Everton but as of now he is still on loan with no purchase option. So in theory, we could still get Dejong to be the new Busquets in the pivot, and look to Rabiot to slowly replace Rakitic and Arthur continue to be the third midfielder. That would leave Gomes, Puig and Alena on the bench. They could even sell Gomes, Rakitic and Vidal and try and also bring in Ndombele who has been linked with us.

So our midfield for the future could be Arthur, Ndombele, DeJong, Rabiot, Alena, and Puig.

Would you be happy with that midfield? The only issue with trying to get a trio of Ndombele, DeJong and Rabiot, is that all 3 will command to be starters with Rabiot being the one to likely complain the most. So for that reason, I would leave him as the odd man out even if he is on a free.

Myesyats wrote:Rigui Puig also needs to be given more chances. Boy is pure quality.

I like the way he plays. I was worried about his physique and whether he would be able to handle physical play. He has a wiry strength about him and is difficult to knock off the ball. He has been targeted heavily in games and just gets back up and on with it., If he can bulk up a little more and add maybe an inch in height(dont know if he has stopped growing), then I think he can be a potential first teamer. I do think we need better defenders around him though if and when he makes the step up.

windkick wrote:Btw if you look at guys 30 or above in our midfield going into the summer would be Vidal, Rakitic, and Busquets.

Then lets say we remove 3 guys we know are likely going to leave, or will never play in Samper, Denis Suarez and Rafinha.

That leaves our midfield for the future with Arthur, Alena, and Gomes who is coming back from loan. Gomes will likely be sold to Everton but as of now he is still on loan with no purchase option. So in theory, we could still get Dejong to be the new Busquets in the pivot, and look to Rabiot to slowly replace Rakitic and Arthur continue to be the third midfielder. That would leave Gomes, Puig and Alena on the bench. They could even sell Gomes, Rakitic and Vidal and try and also bring in Ndombele who has been linked with us.

So our midfield for the future could be Arthur, Ndombele, DeJong, Rabiot, Alena, and Puig.

Would you be happy with that midfield? The only issue with trying to get a trio of Ndombele, DeJong and Rabiot, is that all 3 will command to be starters with Rabiot being the one to likely complain the most. So for that reason, I would leave him as the odd man out even if he is on a free.

I think that is a good talented set of midfielders to have (barring Rabiot who I think is just not at our leve). It is not even as if he will add legs as he is fairly slow himself.
The issue is the lack of top level experience. But for the future, that is an excellent lineup of talent.
Busquets, I am afraid needs to be replaced. Unless we press (which I dont see happening), he is a liability and that is becoming increasingly noticeable this season. I would be happy with De Jong replacing Busquets. Busquets is a club legend though so I think he is a nailed on starter for the next 3 years atleast.

Alena is now a first team player, replaces Rafinha who is out for the season.

https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20181205/453373285719/rodrigo-bentancur-fichaje-barcelona.html?facet=amp&__twitter_impression=true

Bentancour latest midfielder linked to us

So latest rumors indicate that FDJ will sign for PSG. Surprised that he decided to go there. Cant be money cause we pay more money than anyone by far. Maybe they are offering him a starting spot while we cant. Busquets will be a starter for a while here, which is foolish. With Messi upfront, Busquets is becoming increasingly a liability. Wouldnt have minded FDJ.

The Suarez injury news is worrisome. Seems he has the same problems as Umtiti. At his age, this is extremely worrying. Seems we might have to search for a replacement sooner than later. Problem is, there is no elite replacement on the market. Martial is the best bet. Else, maybe try out Malcolm. It's a long shot but what else do we do?

alexjanosik wrote:So latest rumors indicate that FDJ will sign for PSG. Surprised that he decided to go there. Cant be money cause we pay more money than anyone by far. Maybe they are offering him a starting spot while we cant. Busquets will be a starter for a while here, which is foolish. With Messi upfront, Busquets is becoming increasingly a liability. Wouldnt have minded FDJ.

The Suarez injury news is worrisome. Seems he has the same problems as Umtiti. At his age, this is extremely worrying. Seems we might have to search for a replacement sooner than later. Problem is, there is no elite replacement on the market. Martial is the best bet. Else, maybe try out Malcolm. It's a long shot but what else do we do?

What about Icardi? He's been through your academy. Was deemed insufficient due to his lack of contribution in the build up of attacks, something I'd argue he's quite proficient at now, although he rarely finds himself in a position to do so at Inter. His hold up game is great, he uses his strength well, and I can't think of a more ruthless and clinical finisher, these days. You already have players that are adept at pinging passes in and around the box, and I imagine his extraordinary ability to make use of any chances he gets would make him an effective goal machine at Barcelona. I would prefer if you didn't get a player of his caliber, but seeing as we have no actual influence towards player transfers, I'd be interested to hear you guys' opinion on him.

The issue is Messi. As a striker, it is not easy to play with Messi and shine. The list is long of strikers who have struggled with Messi. From Aguero, Higuain to Ibra, Villa and Alexis(when he played as one). Suarez is the exception and thats one of the reasons why I rate him so highly.

Look at the way Suarez plays. Majority of the time he plays to open up space for Messi, enable Messi to shine. The genius of Suarez is that he still produces the goods despite essentially being relegated to carrying Messi's water.

Icardi makes good runs but the key point is that he makes runs for himself. With Messi, he would have to create space for Messi. I dont think he has the game for that. Dont think anyone on the market does.

RAC1: Jeison Murillo (26, centre back) from Valencia will join Barcelona, most likely on loan.

Is this due to the Vermaelen injury?