What are we looking for?

With the speculation about who could leave comes the speculation about which positions should be strengthened and which players could join Barcelona.

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo says that Barcelona wants to bring in young players who want to prove themselves on the highest level at Barcelona. The number of transfers will depend on the players who will leave but Barcelona plans to buy at least six new faces, amongst which a right back defender, a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfielder, a left winger and a centre forward. Sevilla right back Dani Alves (24) and Olympique Lyon forward Karim Benzema (20) are on top of the wish list, but given their transfer fee both will be very hard to get.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona has put aside 120 million euro° for the renewal of the squad. Barcelona's technical staff has compiled a list of 40 players from which the incoming transfers will be chosen. The club is now focusing on six positions: goal keeper, right back defender, central defender, midfielder, winger and centre forward.

Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain told in an interview with the official club television channel Barça TV that the team has lacked "effectiveness, intensity and unity" along the current season and especially in the daily work at the club. He also especially pointed out the lack of goals: "There are deficiencies that cause that you don't score, not enough speed in the box, no long-range shots..."

Begiristain announced that the club is preparing for next season and that several negotiations are ongoing. Barcelona will look for players who can give an immediate result and who should have a well determined profile: "Ready for the job, a sure value in their current club, mentally strong, who have the capacity to lead the team on the pitch."

Read more:
The four Barcelona summer objectives
The search of Txiki
A look at the coming transfer summer