Barcelona target Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Bayern Munich;s David Alaba on free transfers

Barcelona are hoping they can land Sergio Aguero and David Alaba on free transfers this summer after their contracts expire at Manchester City and Bayern Munich respectively.

Aguero is expected to depart the Etihad Stadium after 10 years which have seen him become the club’s all-time top goal scorer with 256 goals and lift four Premier League titles in a glittering career. 

However, injuries have since caught up with the 32-year-old and he has now gone a full year without scoring a Premier League goal at the Etihad.

Barcelona are considering a move for Manchester City's Sergio Aguero

The LaLiga side are also weighing up a free swoop for Bayern Munich's David Alaba

Barcelona are weighing up summer free transfers for Sergio Aguero (left) and David Alaba

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca see the striker as the ideal No 9 replacement for Luis Suarez, who departed for Atletico Madrid in the summer, in providing a big name signing for supporters.

Barca are in desperate financial struggles following the coronavirus outbreak, and the report claims they see Aguero as an ideal signing to act as a transitional striker ahead of a future bid for Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez or Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund once the pandemic clears.

Aguero was once a target for the Spanish giants in 2014 before they landed Suarez from Liverpool but the capture of the former Atletico Madrid hitman is also being seen as a way to convince Lionel Messi to stay at the club.

The reports on Barca's targets appear on the front page of Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo

The reports on Barca’s targets appear on the front page of Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo

Barca are hoping Aguero can provide a transitional replacement for the departed Luis Suarez

Barca are hoping Aguero can provide a transitional replacement for the departed Luis Suarez

The Argentine duo are good friends and it is hoped at the Nou Camp that Aguero’s arrival might convince Messi to commit his future to the club.

Alaba is another target whose contract expires in the summer and Barca are keen on his versatility given his ability to play at left back as well as provide cover in the centre of defence.

The 28-year-old has been a regular for Bayern this season, featuring 16 times in the Bundesliga, but his arrival at the Nou Camp could depend on Joan Laporta becoming the club’s new president.

They also hope his arrival could convince his Argentine compatriot Lionel Messi (right) to stay

They also hope his arrival could convince his Argentine compatriot Lionel Messi (right) to stay

Laporta has a good relationship with Alaba’s agent, Pini Zahavi, who according to Mundo appears to have angered Bayern with his contract demands for Alaba. Although he has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, the report claims his father has denied such an agreement to join Barca’s fierce rivals is in place.

Ronald Koeman is still looking to shape Barcelona into his mould and it is understood he is still pursing moves for City defender Eric Garcia, Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum and Lyon star Memphis Depay as well as Aguero and Alaba. 

His Barca side have started to find form in La Liga after a slows start, but despite winning six of their last eight games they remain third in the table and 10 points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid having played a game more. 

Alaba's agent has a good relationship with Barca presidential candidate Joan Laporta (above)

Alaba’s agent has a good relationship with Barca presidential candidate Joan Laporta (above)

Barca’s financial status will have to improve drastically though following reports that they have asked a host of major banks to delay debt repayments so that the club can avoid insolvency.

According to El Confidencial via Football Espana, the Catalonians have requested from Goldman Sachs, Allianz, Barings, Amundi and Prudential a dispensation for failing to financially comply, which points to a non payment of approximately £178m.

The LaLiga side reportedly have a negative working capital of £535m, with a further £89m owed to other lenders. 

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