How things stand: Wing attackers

(at the end of the season, Barça Transfer Zone looks forward to the coming transfer summer making an analysis for each position, in part 7 we look at the wing attackers)

2007-2008
On the right wing, Giovani dos Santos (19) got a lot more playing time than expected due to the two serious injuries of Lionel Messi (20). Bojan (17) and Eto'o also moved away from the centre to the right side a few times this season.

First choice on the left wing Ronaldinho (28) had a season full of injuries and was rarely fit and on top of his game. Andrés Iniesta (24) and Thierry Henry (30) were the players who used to replace him. Santiago Ezquerro (31) did not get many opportunities.

Out
Despite interest from Chelsea and Inter, Messi will certainly stay. The situation of Giovani is not clear. He could leave on a loan or a permanent deal. Manchester City, Inter and Chelsea are rumoured to be interested. Both players could also be used more on the left wing next season.

Ronaldinho will most probably leave in the summer. AC Milan is the main candidate for the transfer, with Manchester City and Inter Milan as the most important challengers. The contract of Ezquerro expires in June and the player didn't receive a renewal offer.

In
Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich - 24), who can play on both wings, is probably the main candidate but is very unlikely to leave the German champions after one year. The other name that has been sticking out is left winger David Silva (Valencia - 22).

Further there were rumours about Hatem ben Arfa (Lyon - 22), Diego Capel (Sevilla - 20), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United - 23), Andrés Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña - 21) and Mancini (AS Roma - 27). Gai Assulin (17) could be promoted from the Barcelona B team.


Read all How things stand contributions here or read the contribution about:
Goal keeper - Right back defender - Central defenders - Left back defender - Defensive midfielder - Attacking midfielders - Wing attackers - Centre forward

Looking for a left winger

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona will bring in a left wing attacker to fill up the gap left by the exit of Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho. Barcelona is looking for a young, fast and technical player, who can score, is adapted to the Liga and is hungry for trophies.

The first name on the list would be that of Valencia left winger David Silva (22). He is seen as the most complete candidate for the spot. With a contract until 2014 and a buyout clause of 90 million euro°, a transfer of Silva will nevertheless be a difficult operation. Barcelona hopes the crisis in Valencia could make the player put pressure on his club to allow him to leave.

Another option is Deportivo La Coruña left winger Andrés Guardado (21). The Mexican international has a buyout clause of 25 million euro° and Deportivo president Augusto César lendoiro would be willing to lower that price in exchange for some players from the Barcelona youth academy.

A third player on the list would be Sevilla left winger and Spanish youth international Diego Capel (20) (read more here) . Capel is considered to be technically the least of the three but he compensates that with his pace. His buyout clause of 12 million euro° is attainable for Barcelona (read more here).

pep's opinion:
With Ronaldinho (and Ezquerro) on their way out and Henry not being able to adapt to the position on the left, we definitely need to bring in one (if not two) players for the left wing. Since on the right we have already two players (Messi and Giovani) who tend to leave the wing and cut inside and since Abidal isn't really an attacking left back able to connect with and double his left wing partner, I guess the right option is to go is for a real left-footed winger, who can go all the way and who keeps the field open.