Marlon, Semedo & Mina - Barcelona building a strong case for the defence

It may seem like it’s been a quiet summer for Barcelona, but the club have quietly been going about their business, and are laying a seriously strong foundation.

The first signing of the summer was making Marlon Santos’ loan from Fluminense permanent, the centre-back signing a three-year deal.

Marlon has already shown us what he can do in the first-team and should get more opportunities next season, and at just 21, the future looks bright indeed.

Next up we had confirmation that teenager Marc Cucurella has signed a new two-year deal, with an option for another two years, and like Marlon, he’s part of the club’s pre-season tour squad.

So far, so good, but things got even better with the arrival of Nelson Semedo from Benfica this week.

A great signing, a great price (even with the add-ons we’ve heard all about) and at just 23, another player with a massive future ahead of him.

To add to all this, highly-rated Colombia Yerry Mina is also set to arrive next year, with his agent having confirmed a deal is in place.

Photo by Ricardo Nogueira/Getty Images

“Now he stays in Brazil. And then in 2018 he will reach the Spanish League,” his agent Felipe Russo said.

“Everything is almost closed. His dream has always been to play with Barca. Why should he break his hopes when it comes to, in my view, the best technical project for him?

“He will stay another year at Palmeiras because he is doing well and wants to go to the World Cup. For me there is zero chance that things will change.”

Source | FCInternews.it.

There’s more too, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen is hardly old in goalkeeper terms at 25, young Adrian Ortola is also in the tour squad, and with reported interest in Jasper Cillessen - might he get a few chances to impress next season?

There’s also room in the squad for Sergi Palencia and Josep Maria Bartomeu has already insisted Valverde will be looking towards youth.

"Then there are those that will be promoted from the B team,” he said.

“Valverde likes to look to the academy, that's what he's talked about in our conversations and we value that a lot."

Source | Sport

Barcelona’s style of play means the attack usually scoop the headlines, and rightly so, but with the signings made, and the young talent available, the defence is shaping up nicely.