Transfer Centre

President Joan Laporta hints at further Barcelona signings

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 19 July 2022

President Joan Laporta says that Barcelona will now focus on signing at least one defender after completing the transfer of Robert Lewandowski.

President Joan Laporta has indicated that Barcelona will make further signings during the summer transfer window.

Ahead of 2022-23, it was widely claimed that the Catalan giants would have to find a balance between bringing in fresh faces and strengthening their well-documented financial position.

However, the La Liga outfit have already made four high-profile additions, Robert Lewandowski joining Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie and Raphinha in making the switch to Camp Nou.

Although Barcelona hope to offset some of their outlay with the sale of Frenkie de Jong and several fringe players, those deals - particularly the former - appear far from a foregone conclusion.

Nevertheless, Barcelona have continued to be linked with a number of defenders, including Chelsea right-back Cesar Azpilicueta and Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.

Sevilla's Jules Kounde pictured on December 18, 2021 © Reuters

In an interview with former player Hristo Stoichkov, Laporta has acknowledged that the intention is to add further players to Xavi's squad over the coming weeks.

As quoted by Marca, Laporta said: "We want to make a competitive team, give Xavi the tools to have a good team and I think we are on the right track.

"My dream is for Barca to become a world reference again and we are working for it. If the economy doesn't recover it will be very difficult.

"We are achieving it, but we have to work even harder. Football doesn't wait. We have to do it now. With [Ousmane] Dembele, Raphinha, Lewandowski, [Franck] Kessie, Auba [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang], Ferran [Torres], I think Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff are doing a good job.

Cesar Azpilicueta in action for Chelsea in January 2022 © Reuters

"Now it's time to work on defense. Xavi has us focused on a series of players and I hope that the Catalans can take some more joy."

The priority is likely to be Kounde, despite the France international commanding a release clause in the region of £69m and rival interest coming from Chelsea.

The Premier League outfit are allegedly confident about winning the race for the 23-year-old, but a bid in excess of £50m from Barcelona will see them compete for the France international's signature.

Meanwhile, Azpilicueta is known to be open to signing for Barcelona providing that the two clubs can reach an agreement over a fee.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed recently that an official offer would be put forward within days with Azpilicueta having already agreed personal terms.