Barcelona plot surprise Leeds transfer as Whites man identified as potential Busquets successor

Barcelona have reportedly identified Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca as a ‘low-cost alternative’ to replace Sergio Busquets next season.

Following an outlay in the region of £125million in the summer, the Whites might have expected a better season than they endured. Indeed, that spend followed a poor season in which they narrowly avoided relegation.

Last term, Leeds scraped to survival by three points, and would have hoped to have been nowhere near the danger zone come the end of this campaign.

However, that’s not how things panned out. Indeed, the Elland Road outfit were plunged back into the Championship after just three seasons back in the top flight.

As such, it’s not hard to see that not a lot of their players pulled their weight.

However, some of the summer signings will likely be afforded moves elsewhere. With some having come from big sides, it would be unsurprising if they returned to a higher level despite being part of the poor Leeds season.

Tyler Adams and Roca joined from two of the biggest sides – RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, respectively.

Both men have begun attracting attention from big names, too. The former is reportedly a target of rivals Manchester United, while Roca has been linked with a move to Real Betis.

Barcelona eye shock Roca snare as Busquets replacement

Betis are not the only side in his native Spain that are interested in snaring him. Indeed, Spanish outlet Fichajes reports Barcelona are interested in Roca.

That report states they are ‘aware of the need to find a replacement guarantee for Sergio Busquets’. That’s as the midfielder is departing the club in the summer, at the end of his contract.

The interest from the Camp Nou outfit is apparently as Roca would be a ‘low-cost alternative’ to the departing star.

While that may be true, it’s also said he is one of ‘various options’ in the midfield area.

Roca a rogue target for Barcelona

In any case, it seems somewhat strange that Barca would target Roca. He’s not exactly covered himself in glory at Leeds – scoring once and assisting twice in 32 games for the relegated side.

Nor did he have a huge impact in his last spell at a big side. In two seasons at Bayern, Roca played just 15 times in the Bundesliga, and didn’t have a hand in a single goal during his time at the club.

As such, it seems fair to question what impact he could have on Barca. The club have had some financial difficulties of late, so a cheap transfer makes sense.

But given they are being linked with the free transfer of Ilkay Gundogan, interest in Roca might be unnecessary.

There are other options anyway, so there’s every chance the Whites man doesn’t make the move to Camp Nou. However, on the surface, it would seem a very strange transfer if it was to happen.

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