Koeman 'to STAY at Barcelona and is eyeing five-point summer plan'
Ronald Koeman ‘to STAY at Barcelona next season and will lay out his five-point summer plan to new president Joan Laporta this week’… which includes signing Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum and tying Lionel Messi down to a new deal
- Ronald Koeman was backed by Joan Laporta after he was elected president
- Barcelona have won 12 of their 13 LaLiga games since the turn of the year
- Koeman is reportedly set to outline his summer plans to Laporta this week
- He wants a handful of signings and Lionel Messi to extend his deal at the club
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman will lay out a five-point summer plan to Joan Laporta this week which includes tying Lionel Messi to a new contract and improving in four positions, according to reports in Spain.
The Dutchman faced an uncertain future following the resignation of former president Josep Bartomeu in October, with candidates such as Victor Font championing the return of Xavi in a managerial capacity.
But Joan Laporta claimed victory in this month’s presidential election and began his new mandate with a message of support for the Dutchman, who has led his side to 12 LaLiga victories in their 13 league games in 2021.
Ronald Koeman will stay at Barcelona and will lay out his summer plan to new president Joan Laporta (left) this week, according to reports
Koeman wants star forwards Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi to sign new deals
The 58-year-old has a contract at Camp Nou until the end of next season, and Mundo Deportivo claim he has come up with a five-point plan to reinvigorate Barcelona, which he will deliver when he meets Laporta this week.
Koeman wants four positions to be reinforced ahead of next season, namely a centre-back, a left-back, a hard-working midfielder and a new No 9, the report adds.
Eric Garcia is the favourite to be signed as the central defender, with reports claiming the Manchester City star will become Laporta’s first signing of his second term by signing a five-year deal on a free transfer.
Koeman is targeting another Bosman deal from the Premier League and a compatriot for the midfield, with Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum understood to be closing in on an agreement with the Catalan side.
He wants signings to include Netherlands duo Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay
Koeman likes Erling Haaland (left) and Romelu Lukaku but they will command high fees
Central strikers Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku are also said to be liked by Koeman, but funds unlikely to be available for the £90million-rated Borussia Dortmund forward and his Inter Milan counterpart, who joined the Italian side from Manchester United in a £75m deal in 2019.
Memphis Depay is therefore seen as the more favourable option, with the forward available on a free in the summer and able to offer both versatility and a goal threat.
A left-back is the other priority with Junior Firpo set to leave, but Koeman may well place his faith in academy graduate Alejandro Balde 17, with a deal to sign David Alaba – who is interesting rivals Real Madrid – on a free transfer looking unlikely.
The report also claims the former Netherlands boss will make it clear he wants forwards Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele to sign new deals at the club, with the Argentine’s deal expiring in June and his French team-mate’s running out in 2022.
Man City’s Eric Garcia is deemed to be the favourite to strengthen the centre-back position
Dembele has impressed in recent weeks having scored twice in his last four LaLiga appearances, while Messi continues to shine in leading the Catalan giants to within four points of leaders Atletico Madrid.
La Masia starlet Ilaix Moriba is also likely to gain more first-team minutes next season. having scored his first senior goal against Osasuna.
Laporta has so far been extremely supportive of Koeman, saying upon his inauguration: ‘Ronald, you already know you have the confidence of this new board of directors.
‘What we want to see is that the team is improving and we are happy and hopeful that it will continue to grow.’
Koeman could also turn to La Masia product Alejandro Balde to solve his search for a left-back
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