The sporting department at FC Barcelona continue to make plans for the long-term future of the club. It's important to bring in fresh blood, alongside promoting the best starlets from La Masia, in order to maintain their place at the top of the footballing ladder.
Carles Aleñá (21) is already part of the first team squad (25 matches, 1,364 minutes, 4 goals and 1 assist) and Riqui Puig (19) came through the academy and represent the new generation of talent to come from La Masia. They are two midfielders who possess that crucial 'Barça DNA': touch, dangerous in both phases of play and dominate their area of the pitch. Their progression will maintain the team's style.
INTEGRATED
Arthur Melo (22) and Ousmane Dembélé (21) have joined the team in the last two seasons and have already won over the home supporters. The Brazilian (32 matches, 1,879 minutes, 2 assists) plays as if he came through La Masia himself whilst the French winger (35 matches, 2,204 minutes, 14 goals and 8 assists) brings speed, directness and skill to the attack.
Frenkie De Jong (21) has already demonstrated his talent at the highest level with Ajax as well as with Holland. He's got great vision, is strong in defence and attack, and has experience beyond his years. He's an important member of his current team (39 matches, 3,320 minutes, 4 goals and 2 assists) as he looks to win the Eredivisie, the Dutch Cup and the Champions League.
TRANSFERS IN PROGRESS
Four of those five players are midfielders. This means the next people to arrive will be to strengthen other areas of the squad.
Luka Jovic (22), who is playing at Eintracht Frankfurt, has been compared with Luis Suárez. He's the striker the club wants to reinforce it's forward line. Scouts have been impressed by his goalscoring exploits this season which has seen him score 22 goals in 36 matches.
In defence the chosen one is Matthijs De Ligt (19). The plan is to eventually see him link up with Clement Lenglet (23) and Samuel Umtiti (25) as the long term replacements for Gerard Pique. De Light has been involved in 42 matches, 3,678 minutes alongside his teamamte De Jong.
There's even more young players on the books such as Malcom, Jean-Clair Todibo and Moussa Wague who could prove to be long term successes at the club.
Source: Sport / Juan Manuel Díaz