Gerard Gumbau Emerges as a Potential Signing for Barcelona’s Midfield
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As they continue to look for a player to take Sergio Busquets’ place, Barcelona is considering a shock move for the 28-year-old free agent Gerard Gumbau.
In this summer’s free transfer window, the storied Spanish midfielder joined Inter Miami from the Catalan club, creating a significant vacuum. Barca has been forced to make concessions in defensive midfield due to their financial resources—or rather, lack thereof.
Barcelona table 1 1 contract offer for 34-year-old midfielder, Xavi has spoken with him – https://t.co/oLLyx7MejJ
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) June 26, 2023
Oriol Romeu was targeted as a potential summer acquisition, although his price tag may be in the neighbourhood of €8 million. They can afford that amount, but supposedly they are not willing to spend it on a player who will turn 32 in September.
Meanwhile, they have caught wind of another La Masia alum. Gumbau is regarded as a reasonable choice to strengthen the defensive midfield area, according to SPORT (via BarcaUniversal).
Following the expiration of his Elche contract last month, the 28-year-old defensive midfielder is now a free agent. He recently had a respectable domestic campaign, playing in 38 games across various leagues and recording seven assists and one goal.
In Barcelona from 2014 to 2017, Gumbau spent three years primarily playing for the B squad. During that period, he did, however, play for the Blaugrana in nine senior appearances. Barca added Ilkay Gundogan to their midfield, which already includes Pedri, Gavi, Franck Kessie, Pablo Torre, and Frenkie de Jong, on a free transfer from Manchester City.
PSG Sets Sights on Barcelona Star as Potential Mbappe Replacement
A devastating blow to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) would be if both Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe left within the same transfer window. But given the current state of affairs, that is a scenario that is possible.
Following the revelation that Mbappe won’t extend his contract with the team past June 2024, the Paris-based giants have placed him on their transfer list and set a €200 million asking price for him. He is coveted by Real Madrid, but they are prepared to wait until he becomes a free agent in 2024 before making a move.
According to writer Santi Aouna (h/t @ManagingBarca on Twitter), if PSG loses Mbappe this summer, they will try to sign Ousmane Dembele from f c Barcelona. A €50 million provision was written in the two-year contract that the Barcelona winger signed last summer.
The 26-year-old could be signed by Les Parisiens to reinforce their attack if that clause is used. But according to the player’s agent, he won’t be leaving Spotify Camp Nou this summer.
Since his €135 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund six years ago, Dembele has amassed 40 goals and 43 assists in 185 games for Barcelona. He is reportedly in contract negotiations with the Catalan powerhouses.
