Top five players Barcelona should target in summer 2023

LaLiga 2022-23 champions recently signed Ilkay Gundogan

The 2022–23 season was an odd one for Barcelona. They reclaimed their place at the top of La Liga after four years, but there's still turmoil around the club. Things are slightly better for Barcelona under Xavi. They had the best transfer window last season in the summer, as they signed big players like Lewandowski and Christensen.

Barcelona’s transfer strategies have been questionable at times, especially in recent years since the departure of Lionel Messi. The LaLiga champions will then have to turn their attention to other transfer targets as they look to build on a strong first full season under Xavi. There are a number of very good players that are available to sign without a transfer fee this summer, meaning Barcelona will only have to worry about signing-on fees and wages.

Here are the top five players that Barcelona should target in this summer transfer market:

5. Juan Foyth - Villareal

Juan Foyth is a professional football player from Argentina. He plays as a centre-back for Villarreal in LaLiga. Foyth is a versatile player. Barcelona needs players who can play in different areas when needed in order to strengthen their pack. In the Champions League last season, Barcelona suffered because of a lack of quality backup players, especially in the centre-back position.

He can also play as a right-back, which is very important for Xavi and his staff to fulfil the position, as there have been reports of Kounde not wanting to play as a Right back any more. 

4. Dani Olmo - RB Leipzig

Xavi and his staff are very keen to have him in their squad, but it will be very difficult as Leipzig will not let a crucial player go away very easily. There have been rumours about his interest in joining the Catalan club. But the chances of getting a quality player like him are very low, as Barcelona is also facing financial issues.

3. Bernardo Silva - Manchester City

The 28-year-old was one of City’s standout performers last season and played a vital role in the club’s successful Premier League title defence. As he also won the first-ever Champions League with Manchester City. There have been talks with his agent, but he also has offers from Saudi clubs, which are way more lucrative financially. After Gundogan, if Barcelona gets him, it will be a huge boost for their midfield.

2. Aymeric Laporte - Manchester City

The 28-year-old defender changed his international allegiance to Spain a few years ago after being snubbed by France on a number of occasions. Right now, he is playing as a central defender for Manchester City. He made his name in Spain during his spell with Athletic Bilbao, where he made 200 appearances for the club before joining Manchester City in 2018.

He had a season of mixed fortunes as he went down the pecking order of Pep Guardiola’s squad and was his third choice of centre-back after Ruben Dias and John Stones. Lack of game time at Manchester City can be a big reason for his departure. The Catalan club will like to have him, as he is good enough to be the first-choice centre-back.

1. Youssoufa Moukoko - Borussia Dortmund

Moukoko is regarded as one of the top young talents out there, but Barcelona already has one of the best attackers in the world, Robert Lewandowski. The German has made 26 appearances in the Bundesliga and scored seven goals and four assists for Dortmund this year.

In Qatar, he made his World Cup debut as the country’s youngest player. Although Moukoko may still sign new contracts, Barca will make an effort to sign the teenager. There are some Premier League teams also looking to sign them, so for Barcelona, it will be quite a difficult task to get him.