Ilkay Gundogan unlikely to replace Sergio Busquets at Barcelona, says report
Barcelona is on the lookout for a replacement for veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets this summer. While Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with a move to Barcelona after his contract expires, it appears that he will not be utilized as a Busquets replacement. Reports suggest that Barcelona’s manager Xavi Hernandez intends to use Gundogan in a more advanced role if he does sign for the Catalan club.
In addition, Barcelona is not interested in signing Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, according to Sport. The report suggests that Xavi is a fan of Sofyan Amrabat, among several other targets for the midfield role. This search for a Busquets replacement will have consequences for Frenkie de Jong, who may end up being the number one candidate to fill the void if Barcelona is unable to sign an adequate replacement.
De Jong has struggled in a deeper midfield role in recent seasons but has stepped up in Busquets’ absence at times this campaign. Barcelona will need to find a suitable replacement for Busquets, who has been a crucial player for the club over the past 15 seasons. The search for a new midfielder will be a crucial aspect of Xavi’s rebuild at Barcelona, as the club looks to bounce back from a disappointing campaign.
