Barcelona planning £130million summer spending spree to bring in Marco Verratti, Hector Bellerin and Ousmane Dembele in bid to win back Champions League
Ernesto Valverde replaced Luis Enrique as boss at end of the season and will dip into transfer market to bring back glory
BARCELONA are planning a £130million summer spending spree to wrestle the game’s biggest trophies back from Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain.
Luis Enrique stepped down after the three season at the Nou Camp, with the club missing out on both La Liga and the Champions League — with Ernesto Valverde coming in.
And report the club’s board will fund a summer rebuilding process, with Marco Verratti, Hector Bellerin and Ousmane Dembele at the forefront of the plans.
Stalwarts such as Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are slowly drifting to the latter part of their careers and Barcelona need to make long-term plans to replace them.
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One of the major issues from last season was the lack of a senior right-back.
Dani Alves left to join Juventus on a free transfer when his contract expired, and the Brazilian wasn’t replaced.
Central midfielder Sergi Roberto filled in for most of the season, but struggled in a position which is not natural to him.
Bellerin graduated from club’s academy and they have always hoped to bring him back.
A £35m bid has already been placed — with Benfica ace, Nelson Semedo, a backup.
The Portuguese ace would be a little most expensive at £43.6m.
His signing would likely let the club back around £70m but, at just 24, it would be seen as a value for money signing.
Lastly, Barcelona want Borussia Dortmund’s sensation, Dembele.
The 20-year-old striker is considered one of the stars of the future and actually rejected a move to the Nou Camp in favour of the Bundeliga side in the summer.
Despite Dortmund’s reluctance to sell the striker, it is reported a deal could be struck for just £26m.