Barcelona are nursing some severe wounds this season, after falling ahead of time in the Liga title race, and in every game they have played against Girona and Real Madrid, the two sides ahead of them. Their solution is to look for three to four signings that could go straight into their starting XI.

While it appears the Blaugrana have tied up a deal for Guido Rodriguez, it is no secret that they will pursue a top level pivot, with the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Amadou Onana and Joshua Kimmich all being talked about as targets.

Meanwhile a left winger is their second priority, and Dani Olmo has been mentioned as a potential target that could play on the left, and inside as a midfielder. Both the RB Leipzig creator and Real Sociedad’s Zubimendi have €60m release clauses. The next priority for Xavi Hernandez would be a top level player in midfield, that can raise the level of the team, with Bernardo Silva again in the headlines.

It has been talked about that Barcelona would bring in a left-back to compete with Alejandro Balde too, but MD say that if Robert Lewandowski does move on this summer – something he has virulently denied – then they will look for another number nine, with Vitor Roque receiving no little game time.

The question, clearly, is money. Currently Barcelona are unable to register new players, and the likes of Roque and Inigo Martinez are not yet registered for the coming season. Major sales will be necessary to pull off even one of the deals mentioned above. It has been noted that with all the talk of signings, it could well be a distraction technique from a frustrating end to the season.