Premier League pivot midfielder remains Barcelona’s top choice, transfer unlikely | OneFootball

Hansi Flick’s setup at Barcelona so far has unsurprisingly revolved around a double pivot consisting of two players who are tactically very different.

With Dani Olmo firmly slotting into the attacking midfield role, the double pivot includes one player who serves as a traditional defensive midfielder with the other given the freedom to venture forward in attack but track back when off the ball.

Pedri has been the one to be given the freedom to push forward in attack, and Marc Bernal was the manager’s preferred choice to hold the fort. His ACL injury, however, has left the team short-staffed in the department once more.

Signing needed

Barcelona’s constant struggles in the defensive midfield department warrant a new signing who can consistently play the destroyer role and hold off opposition counters.

As revealed by MARCA, it is one of Barcelona’s primary targets for the upcoming transfer targets and the club have several options in mind including Joshua Kimmich and Jerdy Schouten.

The Spanish outlet, however, further that Amadou Onana is Barcelona director Deco’s first choice signing in the department.

Onana joined Aston Villa from Everton this past summer. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

At just 23 years of age, the youngster has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s highest-rated pivot players and was on the Catalans’ radar last summer.

Barcelona, though, were not in a position to fund a move for the Belgian international and he ended up signing for Aston Villa for a fee of €60 million. However, Onana continues to be very much on Deco’s wishlist.

So far this season, Onana has started three games for his team, scoring two goals already and averaging over ten defensive actions per game. The Belgian boasts of a pass completion rate of 93% and is a reliable player in the middle of the park.

Considering that he moved to Aston Villa just this summer, however, makes it difficult for Barcelona to manoeuvre a transfer for the player.

Furthermore, any eventual move next year will not come cheap by any means. As such, a move for Onana seems highly unlikely.