Barcelona 'close to finalising' first signing of the summer

Barcelona are close to wrapping up the signing of Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez this summer, a report has claimed.

With Xavi committing to staying on as manager beyond this season, Barcelona officials can now focus on summer's transfer plans, with a new defensive midfielder among the targets for the upcoming window.

According to SPORT, progress has already been made in talks to lure Rodriguez over to Camp Nou on a free transfer.

Rodriguez, 30, has long been admired by Barcelona and may finally get the chance to make the move this summer when he leaves Betis upon the expiry of his contract. Blaugrana officials see the chance to snap him up for free as a valuable opportunity in the current market.

Should he sign on at Barcelona, Rodriguez is expected to take the place of Oriol Romeu, who could be allowed to leave and has been linked with a return to Girona.

Importantly, Rodriguez is not seen as the final midfield addition this summer. The plan is for the veteran midfielder to take Romeu's role as cover but Barcelona still want to find the money to make a big-name signing.

Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich is a target, as are Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, Everton's Amadou Onana and Feyenoord's Mats Wieffer, but any of that quartet could command a signficant spend which may not be possible.

It is for that reason that Rodriguez has been approached, with Xavi already understood to have held talks with the midfielder over a summer switch.

Rodriguez does have interest from other clubs, including from Saudi Arabia, but Barcelona are believed to be hopeful of getting a deal over the line.

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