Barcelona has been weighing a successor to Sergio Busquets for longer than fans would admit. The experiments inside the squad have produced mixed results, and the gap left by the veteran midfielder is unmistakable. The club faces a real ongoing challenge with no obvious, ready-made option. One door is closing, and a future without Busquets is becoming a pressing topic for a team that once thrived on its midfield intelligence.
A rare type of footballer, one who was unearthed by Pep Guardiola and rose to become a defining figure in the sport. A player who can compensate for a lack of pure speed with sharp reading of the game and a deep tactical sense. After a difficult period of transition, the scouting team remains tasked with resolving a long-standing puzzle that has lingered for years.
There are profiles circulating, favored options and hopefuls, yet some names remain out of reach. The four standout targets capturing the club’s attention are Sofyan Amrabat, Ruben Neves, Martín Zubimendi, and Guido Rodríguez. They emerge from very different footballing contexts, each presenting a unique profile for the team’s future midfield engine.
Amrabat, the top option
The Moroccan playmaker was very close to a winter move. He pushed hard to complete a switch, staying attentive to the possibility of joining Barcelona. Fiorentina would have been the destination, but the finances at the time proved prohibitive. Among candidates, Amrabat stood out as the best positioned. A relentless ball-winner with a refined touch, he would bring authority and personality to the middle of the park. Barcelona could envision a fee near twenty-five million euros for him.
<Xavi has shown a clear preference for Amrabat, a preference that has not gone unnoticed. The coach admires a midfielder who mixes defensive work with intelligent distribution, a different kind of presence than Busquets, yet one that can anchor the midfield with grit and leadership.
The second option often discussed is Martín Zubimendi. Young, technically adept, and precise in ball control, he represents long-term potential. Yet the reported price around sixty million euros creates a substantial hurdle for a club navigating current financial constraints and market realities. In the present climate, such a transfer may simply be beyond reach for the near term.
Ruben Neves remains a central figure in these conversations, especially if Deco joins as the sporting director. Neves combines physical presence with technical ability, and his profile aligns with a Barcelona that seeks a robust, modern midfielder capable of driving play from a deeper role.
The final name that has surfaced is Guido Rodríguez. A world-class midfielder who earned his stripes with Argentina and has shown leadership at Betis. He brings experience, character, and a proven track record. Rodríguez’s contract and renewal negotiations have stalled for now, positioning him as a potentially more economical, long-shot option that could still appeal if the budget shifts in the club’s favor.