Barcelona have been offered the chance to sign the World Cup winner for a cut-price fee but negotiations over a new contract have stalled

FC Barcelona have reportedly been offered the chance to sign a World Cup winner for a cut-price fee this summer.

The Catalan giants are looking for a midfielder to partner Pedri and Gavi next season – and they have a long list of targets.

Barca are set to ‘battle’ with Manchester United in the race to sign Everton’s Amadou Onana, according to the Daily Mail, who suggest that their interest in Joshua Kimmich has “waned.”

Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino is another player of interest. In fact, the 28-year-old is considered a more likely candidate given FC Barcelona’s financial constraints.

But an even cheaper option has emerged in the form of Argentina international Leandro Paredes, who is entering the final year of his contract at Roma.

The 30-year-old, who returned to Serie A last summer, is considered by Barca to be a player of “good quality”, according to the Spanish publication. SPORT.

Furthermore, the club is impressed by his track record and playing experience at top European clubs.

Paredes made 49 appearances in all competitions for Roma last season and featured regularly for World Cup winners Argentina after impressing in Qatar.

He would be available at a “very reduced price”, according to the report, but Barca are said to have their sights set on other players, with Onana and Merino mentioned.

Paredes has signed a two-year contract with Roma after joining the club on a permanent deal from Paris Saint-Germain.

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A product of Boca Juniors’ youth system, Leandro joined Roma in the summer of 2014 after a brief spell at Chievo. The Argentine spent two seasons at the club, before being loaned out for a season to Empoli.

“Coming back to Rome is always a special thing, but doing it now as a Roma player is even more special,” Paredes said in 2023.

“I would like to thank the fans for welcoming me and Roma for allowing me to return to the club where I launched my career in Europe. Last year was incredibly happy for me with the World Cup, so now I want to continue tasting success and I am convinced that I can achieve that with this team.”