Ernesto Valverde arrives in Barcelona on Wednesday as the club’s 58th manager and will get to work on the club’s new project immediately.
The first thing he will do is speak with Josep Maria Bartomeu (president), Robert Fernandez (sporting director) and Albert Soler (director of professional sports). There’s no time to waste because it’s urgent they firm up their ideas and define this summer’s comings and goings.
Valverde arrives at midday accompanied by his agent, Inaki Ibanez. He will undertake a photo session at the club while Ibanez meets with the club to finalise the contract details. Then Valverde will meet with Soler and Robert.
Until now, Robert’s been looking at the market and he will share his thesis with Valverde. At the same time, the new coach will be aware of the options he already has, the state of the renewals (Ter Stegen renewed, Messi and Iniesta waiting), of the players who could leave (Arda, Mathieu) and of those players who could be sold for the right price (Rafinha, Gomes, Cillessen, Alcacer, Denis, Vidal).
SIGNINGS
Valverde will be clear that he must adapt to the club’s economic needs. He will also reiterate his desire to sign two or three players to strengthen the starting line-up. In this sense, they will talk about Coutinho, Verrati, Bellerín, Deulofeu, Azpilicueta and Seri.
The former Athletic Club coach also wants to know, if he doesn’t know already, the situation of some of the club’s B team and loan players, such as Aleña, Marlon, Samper and Palencia.
PRE-SEASON
Valverde may also find time to meet with delegate Carles Naval to find out the details of pre-season. Pending his OK, the plan is to start on July 12 and then fly to the United States one week later. The third friendly in the U.S. is against Real Madrid, with the Spanish Super Cup against Los Blancos to follow.