Barcelona has not yet dismissed the possibility of Nico Gonzalez remaining at the club for the upcoming season, according to reports.
Nico has spent the loan period at Valencia. Previous reports suggested that Barcelona intended to sell him during the summer transfer window.
As per Mundo Deportivo, Nico’s future has not been finalized. Therefore, there remains a chance that he could continue at Barcelona next season.
Barcelona is actively looking for a replacement for Sergio Busquets. But the club’s financial circumstances make this task challenging.
Xavi has acknowledged that finding a Busquets successor is his top priority this summer. Although his preferred choice, Martin Zubimendi, appears to be favorite.
During discussions about potential replacements, Busquets mentioned Nico as a viable option, and Xavi also praised him during a recent press conference.
Nico has long been regarded as a potential successor to Busquets, despite being just 21 years old. Despite missing a significant portion of the season due to injury, he has made 25 appearances for Valencia this season.
In his recent interview with MD, Xavi stated, “I see Nico more suited for an offensive role rather than as Busi’s replacement. He possesses an attacking mentality, excels in dribbling and creating opportunities. To give you an idea, he is somewhat similar to Frenkie this season.”
Nico will have the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities during the preseason.
Busquets sees Nico as an option
Sergio Busquets recently discussed Barcelona’s search for his potential replacement in an interview with Mundo Deportivo. He praised Martin Zubimendi and Joshua Kimmich as strong candidates. Afterwards, he suggested that Nico Gonzalez could get a chance next season.
Busquets acknowledged the difficulty of pursuing Zubimendi, who is one of Xavi’s top choices and could cost around €60 million. Barcelona is exploring other alternatives, including Kimmich, despite the differences in playing style.
Furthermore, Busquets emphasized the importance of providing opportunities to players from Barcelona’s youth academy, mentioning Nico specifically and expressing satisfaction with his progress at Valencia during his loan spell.
While Nico is set to return to Camp Nou after his loan, there are rumors that he might be loaned out again due to a disrupted spell affected by injuries.
When asked if Zubimendi, Rodri, and Nico are the closest options to replace him, Busquets expressed his admiration for all three players, mentioning their national team experience together.
Lastly, Busquets discussed the possibility of Frenkie de Jong playing in the defensive midfield position. However, he noted that De Jong feels more comfortable alongside another midfielder who can provide support and allow him to push forward.
Overall, Busquets highlighted the importance of finding a suitable successor while promoting the development of La Masia talents within the club.
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