Bayern Munich: Barcelona identify Marc Roca as potential transfer target
The upcoming summer transfer window could see multiple departures in the midfield department at Bayern Munich. Marc Roca is one of the midfielders that could part ways with Die Roten and play at another club from next season.
Julian Nagelsmann is reportedly not averse to keeping Marc Roca in the squad for next season. However, the Spanish midfielder is unlikely to get a satisfactory amount of playing time. He will find it even more difficult to get into the matchday squad as Bayern is expected to sign Ryan Gravenberch and try to sign Konrad Laimer. As things stand, the chances of Roca leaving Bavaria are very high.
Marc Roca may also have a chance to play for FC Barcelona next season. According to OnzeTV3 (via iMiaSanMia), Barcelona head coach Xavi has identified Roca as one of the players to replace Sergio Busquets in the starting XI. Bayern will be ready to listen to offers worth €10-15 million for the Spanish midfielder.
A move to Barcelona will not be ideal for Roca in terms of getting consistent playing time. The Spanish club boasts a big group of midfielders, so he may have to be content with being a squad player. He can obviously become Busquets’ long-term replacement as the Spanish midfielder is expected to leave Barcelona in the near future.
Marc Roca is the player Barcelona coach Xavi has in mind to replace Sergio Busquets. Xavi has already spoken to Roca back in December. Bayern would accept €10-15m for the Spaniard [@OnzeTv3] pic.twitter.com/hEbA4DN5gd
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) May 9, 2022
If Roca wants to start every weekend, he may have to take a step down and join a club at a lesser level than Bayern. Moving a level down is nothing to do with his playing quality, but he needs guaranteed playing time at this stage of his career.
AS Roma and Real Betis have reportedly shown interest in Roca. Both clubs will be perfect for Roca to kickstart his career after two difficult seasons. He was also linked with Eintracht Frankfurt last summer. Staying in the Bundesliga is also a good option since he is now used to the pace of the league.
Bayern will also hope to get a decent fee for Roca. Considering the impact of the pandemic on the finances, the Bavarian club needs to get adequate transfer fees for departures to reinvest in other areas of the squad. Roca’s departure will open up the space for the possible arrival of RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer.
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Meanwhile, Die Roten is inching closer to sealing the signing of Ryan Gravenberch from Ajax. The Dutch midfielder will be replacing Corentin Tolisso in the current squad. It also looks like Marcel Sabitzer will be staying in Bavaria for at least one more season. As things stand, it does look like there will be two arrivals and two departures in the midfield department at Bayern during the summer transfer window.