Even as Lionel Messi enters his final few years at Camp Nou, Barcelona remain one of the most popular destinations for star players from around Europe.
The Catalan giants are looking to improve certain areas in the squad and can attract some of the finest names in world football. One such name they are now extensively linked with is Kai Havertz.
Spanish news outfit Mundo Deportivo claim that Barcelona are tracking Havertz’s situation, even as interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester United in the players grows by the day.
So should Barcelona invest in Havertz?
Havertz and his numbers
The 20-year old spent seven years at the Bayer Leverkusen academy, before making his debut for the senior side in 2016.
He took little time to cement his place in the first team and has been one of the best players at the club since the start of the previous campaign.
A versatile playmaker, who can play on the right-wing or in a no.10 role, Havertz registered 17 goals and three assists in the Bundesliga last season to add to three goals and three assists in five Champions League starts.
Playing on the right side of the attack for most of the current season, the German international has two goals and an assist in eight league games.
Havertz is a technically gifted player with superb vision. Cutting in from the right or playing behind a striker, the 20-year-old loves to test the ‘keeper with every chance he gets but his ability to dribble past players with ease and drive his team forward is what makes him an attractive option for clubs across Europe.
He is also strong with his hold up play which makes him much more dangerous in counterattack situations and at just 20, will only get better in years to come.
A top long-term replacement for Messi?
The Catalan giants have a plethora of options in attack. The likes of Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann will be regulars in the starting XI for the next couple of seasons.
Lionel Messi will also be a part of the front three but Luis Suarez may slowly find his time in the middle limited to cameos.
Ansu Fati will certainly be knocking on the door but none of the options Barcelona has, compared to what Havertz will bring to the club.
Dembele adds skill and pace on the right flank but Havertz’s style of play is more suited to the system preached at Camp Nou.
A player of Messi’s calibre is impossible to replace but there are very few names in Europe that can audition for this role. Havertz certainly is one of them.
Playing alongside the Argentine for a couple of seasons will give Havertz time to settle in and make an impact on the club.
So if they do have a chance to sign the German, it is an opportunity that Barcelona just cannot miss out on.
In his time at Leverkusen, Havertz has shown signs that he could be the next big thing on world football, and Barcelona should sign him.
