Barcelona to bring in midfielder as first signing of the season following deal with free agent | OneFootball

Barcelona will make Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez their first signing of the season this summer, having agreed a deal with the veteran Argentine. The 30-year-old was out of contract with Betis, and despite expressing his desire to stay in Seville, did not reach a deal with Los Verdiblancos after months of negotiations.

According to Sport, the deal has been done since the international break in March, when Sporting Director Deco began conversations with Rodriguez. The deal was already in the works last summer, but Barcelona did not reach a deal with either Rodriguez or Betis. The World Cup-winner will come in to occupy the place of Oriol Romeu in midfield, whose exit is presumed in the summer. The Catalan daily assure that Barcelona will move for another pivot too though, with the likes of Amadou Onana, Joshua Kimmich and Martin Zubimendi all near the top of their shorlist.

Rodriguez should add some solidity to the Blaugrana midfield, being more mobile than Romeu, and well versed at shutting down space in open play. However he will likely require a midfielder alongside him to facilitate Barcelona’s build-up from the back.