Barcelona's Desperation to Sign Onana Could Cost Them 'Heir to Messi' in Player Swap Deal

Barcelona's pursuit of Everton midfielder Amadou Onana has highlighted the club's urgent need to bolster their midfield options. The Senegal-born midfielder, recognized as one of the summer's most sought-after talents, has emerged as a primary target for the Catalan giants.

However, securing his signature is proving to be a financial hurdle, with Barcelona's budget constraints putting a successful deal in jeopardy.

Sporting Director Deco, despite his admiration for Onana and his desire to fill the critical role at the base of Barcelona's midfield, has earmarked a limit of €40m for the acquisition. 

This figure falls significantly short of Everton's valuation, with the Premier League side holding firm on a €60m price tag. Complicating matters further is the interest from heavyweight clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, both of whom possess the financial muscle to meet Everton's demands.

In an attempt to navigate these financial constraints, Barcelona might consider including players in the deal to entice Everton. Among the potential makeweights are Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati, Julian Araujo, Clement Lenglet, and Pablo Torre. 

Notably, Ansu Fati, once touted as the 'heir to Messi' and currently on loan at Brighton, could be a significant inclusion in any swap deal. Such a move, however, underscores the desperation and lengths Barcelona is willing to go to secure Onana's services, even if it means sacrificing a talent of Fati's caliber.

While including players as part of the transfer could provide a solution, the complexity of swap deals cannot be understated. The involvement of multiple parties and aligning interests make such transactions particularly challenging to conclude. Barcelona's determination to strengthen their squad is clear, but the potential departure of a player like Ansu Fati, with immense potential and once considered the future of the club, highlights the precarious balance between short-term needs and long-term vision.

In summary, Barcelona's pursuit of Amadou Onana is a testament to their urgent need to reinforce their squad. However, the financial implications and the potential cost in player talent, particularly Ansu Fati, underscore the significant challenges the club faces in navigating the transfer market under current constraints.