Barcelona plot move to sign Chelsea star this summer - Reports
According to SPORT, Barcelona are plotting a summer move to sign Chelsea youngster Carney Chukwuemeka. La Blaugrana are reportedly looking to bring in a holding midfielder despite Hansi Flick hinting that a new midfielder won't be signed.
Barca were linked with Amadou Onana, Mikel Merino, and Joshua Kimmich as their new central midfield signing. However, Marc Casado and Marc Bernal impressed during pre-season and the pursuit of a new midfielder took a backseat.
A recent report, though, suggests that Barca could make a move for Chukwuemeka during the remainder of the transfer window. Chukwuemeka's versatile profile has reportedly attracted the club.
Chukwuemeka is also open to jumping ships and donning the Barcelona jersey if the opportunity presents itself. The 20-year-old England youth international has so far made 27 appearances for Chelsea, scoring twice and providing an assist.
Hansi Flick, however, has already ruled out a new midfield signing this summer. The new Barca coach told the media (via Barca Universal):
"We have several injured midfielders with great quality. When they comeback we will have a better team and I think I have enoygh players there."
Midfielders like Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong are currently sidelined with injuries. Hence, Flick certainly has a deep pool of players at his disposal. The club have already signed Dani Olmo, who is an attacking midfielder.
On the defensive midfield front, the team could do with a signing and whether Chukwuemeka moves to the Catalan club, is worth keeping an eye on.
Hansi Flick has plans for Barcelona youngsters Marc Casado and Marc Bernal: Reports
Marc Casado and Marc Bernal, two graduates of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, impressed during the club's pre-season US tour. Mundo Deportivo reports that Flick has a plan in place for the duo.
As for Casado, the German manager sees him ready to step up and replace the versatile Sergi Roberto, who has parted ways with Azulgrana. For Bernal, Flick has a more cautious plan in place.
He doesn't want to rush the 17-year-old's development and plans on slowly fitting him into the first team. Flick is reportedly convinced with the pair's quality and trusts them to take up the double pivot role in the future.
Since Sergio Busquets' departure, the club has failed to replace him with a proper pivot. Martin Zubimendi never arrived and Oriol Romeu struggled for form. Barcelona seemingly have homegrown prodigies as their answer.