Report: Barcelona draw up three-man midfielder shortlist

Barcelona currently have three players in mind to strengthen their midfield options in the summer 2025 transfer window, a report has claimed.

La Blaugrana's financial struggles meant they could only make minimal changes to their playing squad in time for the 2024/25 season. Their marquee signing proved to be Dani Olmo, who joined for €60m from RB Leipzig, but they were unable to bring in top target Nico Williams from Athletic Club.

Barcelona intended to add a new midfielder to their ranks this summer, with Arsenal-bound Mikel Merino a prominent name the club had considered. Though there was little money left over in the pot last window, a return to Camp Nou later this season should boost their revenues significantly.

According to SPORT, Barcelona will indeed focus their efforts on acquiring a midfielder next summer, and they have come up with a shortlist of three targets.

At the top of their list remains Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, whose current contract at the Allianz Arena is up at the end of the season.

Also on Barcelona's radar is Kimmich's Bayern teammate Leon Goretzka, who has fallen out of favour in Bavaria and could be allowed to leave. Hansi Flick managed both Kimmich and Goretzka during his time at Bayern and is keen on reuniting with either of them in Catalonia.

The other name of particular interest to Barcelona is Fabian Ruiz, who has fallen down the Paris Saint-Germain pecking order after they brought in Joao Neves from Benfica. Any move for Euro 2024 winner Fabian could be complicated by rival interest.

The club's search for a midfielder may also been hastened by Frenkie de Jong's uncertain future, with the Dutchman currently refusing club advice to undergo surgery on a foot injury.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have been boosted by the return of Gavi to training after suffering brutal ACL and meniscus injuries last year.

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