Barcelona’s plans have been disrupted as Raphinha suffered a hamstring tear during Brazil’s match against Haiti, casting serious doubts over his participation in the upcoming World Cup. The injury adds to growing concerns at the club after a season marked by inconsistency and setbacks for the Brazilian winger.
In a bid to reinforce their squad, Barcelona are on the verge of completing the signing of Jorge Salinas, a promising 19-year-old left-back from Racing Santander. Salinas made a significant impact last season with seven assists in 32 appearances, helping Racing secure the La Liga 2 title. According to Sport, the transfer is expected to be finalized before the end of June.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Iñaki Peña is set to move to Panathinaikos for a fee under €3 million. Peña, having been informed by manager Hansi Flick that he does not feature in the club’s plans, is seeking a fresh start elsewhere.
Transfer Market Movements and Managerial Insights
Julian Nagelsmann, the Germany national team coach, praised Barcelona’s development under Hansi Flick, attributing their recent Champions League exit mainly to misfortune, particularly due to red cards in crucial moments. He also acknowledged Barcelona’s success in clinching the Spanish league title this season.
On the transfer front, Manchester United are reportedly interested in acquiring free agent Robert Lewandowski following his departure from Barcelona. The club is evaluating several striker options to bolster their attack alongside Benjamin Sesko. Additionally, United face complications with a potential move for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, valued at around £112 million, with suggestions that they might attempt to hijack this transfer.
Liverpool are tracking defender Lucas Herrington, who is also on Barcelona’s radar. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain could emerge as competitors for Diomande, as talks progress regarding Kang-in Lee’s possible transfer to Atlético Madrid.
In the midst of Barcelona’s search for a Lewandowski replacement, football analyst Marc Bernal has expressed support for signing Argentine forward Julián Álvarez, emphasizing his qualities as a suitable addition to the squad alongside Gavi’s endorsements.