Barcelona reportedly view Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi as possible replacements for Sergio Busquets.
The Catalan outfit are waiting to learn whether Busquets will sign a new contract or seek pastures new, with the experienced midfielder's contract due to expire at the end of June.
"In the end, we all work together and the decision is his. We are waiting to see what he decides. He is a very important person inside and outside, he is the captain," Barcelona boss Xavi recently told reporters when asked for an update on the situation surrounding the former Spain captain.
"He is part of everything and he has earned the right to decide his future. If he can continue, I'd be delighted."
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Brozovic and Zubimendi are viewed by Barcelona as potential replacements for the 34-year-old, but Wolverhampton Wanderers's Ruben Neves is not on the list despite the speculation surrounding the Portugal international.
© Reuters
"In the summer it will then be possible to explore new signings for various positions: Sergio Busquets will have to decide whether he wants to continue at Barca or try an experience in other countries with the Inter Miami proposal already on the table," wrote Romano in his column for 888sport.
"The club will let Busquets decide but they are following Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and Marcelo Brozovic of Inter Milan as midfielders. Ruben Neves was offered but Xavi prioritised other players."
Brozovic, who is also being linked with Tottenham Hotspur, has scored twice and registered two assists in 14 appearances for Inter during the 2022-23 campaign.
The 30-year-old only signed a new contract at San Siro last March, but there is currently speculation surrounding his future in Italy.
Brozovic has represented Inter on 304 occasions since arriving from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer of 2016, scoring 30 goals and registering 37 assists.
© Reuters
Zubimendi, meanwhile, has been in strong form for Real Sociedad during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring once and providing three assists in 26 appearances in all competitions.
The 24-year-old also signed a new contract with his club last year, with the agreement due to run until June 2027, but there is a release clause in the deal.
The buy-out figure is believed to be around €60m (£53m), although it is believed that Barcelona would attempt to lower this price if they decided to press ahead with a summer move.
The Spain international came through the youth system at Real Sociedad, and he has represented the Basque outfit on 124 occasions in all competitions, contributing four goals and five assists in the process.
