Barcelona tracking Federico Bernardeschi

Spanish giants Barcelona continue to be linked with interest in every plausible transfer move since Xavi took the reigns from Ronald Koeman, and are now rumored to be fielding interest in Juventus forward Federico Bernardeschi.

According to Sport, Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany met with Federico Pastorello – agent of Bernardeschi – to discuss a potential free move to the Catalan capital in the summer.

NOTICIA SPORT

El entorno de Bernardeschi y el Barça tuvieron un breve encuentro este lunes en la ciudad transalpina

El atacante acaba contrato en 2022 y forma parte de la lista de posibles incorporaciones a coste cero en junio

@tjuanmartihttps://t.co/gR0BhGris2

— Diario SPORT (@sport) December 16, 2021

Bernardesch is out of contract in Turin after the season and would represent one of the most affordable transfer options on the table for Barcelona as new boss Xavi looks to add quality at the Camp Nou, particularly in wide areas.

Despite making 17-appearances for La Vecchia Signora across all competitions this season, Bernardeschi has registered just a single assist for the Italian giants and is not in line for a contract extension at the Allianz stadium moving forward.

Barça rumored to be interested in former Arsenal captain

In the wake of Sergio Agüero officially announcing his retirement from professional football after health issues have caused him to step away permanently from the game, Barcelona is left with a hole to fill in the number 9 role after the Argentine’s forced departure.

That comes on the back of summer acquisition Luuk De Jong failing to make his loan move from Sevilla count, and injured to both Memphis Depay and Martin Braithwaite.

Now, the club are said to be eyeing a move for Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the future of the Gabonese star was thrown into massive uncertainty in the wake of Mikel Arteta stripping him of the captaincy.

With Auba not only stripped but also ousted from the Arsenal squad altogether in their recent Premier League wins over Southampton and West Ham, Barcelona is said to be keen on a January move that could involve a swap deal with Ousmane Dembélé heading in the other direction.

Given the uncertainty of the club’s ability to spend after massive financial constraints, creative solutions must be found if Barcelona intends to add quality under Xavi.