Barcelona set sights on €20 million-rated Brazilian pivot midfielder | OneFootball

Barcelona are in the market for a new defensive midfielder this summer and have drawn up a list of several possible targets for the position.

Joshua Kimmich is said to be at the top of the list and while his contractual situation at Bayern Munich could make a deal easier, his €20 million wages would be a hurdle.

Mikel Merino is another option that Barcelona are considering, but face competition for his services from Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.

As such, it appears that the Blaugrana have identified another alternative for the pivot midfield position for the summer.

Barcelona interested in Wendel

Indeed, according to SPORT, Barcelona have set their sights on Zenit St. Petersburg midfield enforcer Wendel as an option to reinforce the pivot position if they are unable to sign their primary targets.

Wendel is an alternative for Barcelona. (Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Wendel, 26, came through the ranks at Fluminense before moving to Europe in January 2018 when he joined Sporting CP before signing for Zenit in the summer window of 2020.

The Brazilian midfield enforcer has made over 120 appearances for the Russian outfit, even racking up 20 goals and 25 assists.

Wendel has a contract with Zenit that runs until 2027 but the Russian club would be open to his departure for a fee worth around €20 million.

The report states that Galatasaray are also interested in the 26-year-old South American midfielder but are unwilling to meet Zenit’s asking price for him.

Wendel would be more to the liking of the Barcelona sporting management staff as Plan B over someone like Guido Rodriguez, who they could have signed for free.

However, the main agenda remains to sign one of Kimmich or Merino. If neither arrives, Wendel could be an option they consider.