Barcelona Transfer News: Sergio Busquets Coveted, Latest Riyad Mahrez Rumours

Sergio Busquets has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for English Premier League side Chelsea, despite Barcelona manager Luis Enrique believing he can agree on a new contract to keep the vital holding midfielder at the Camp Nou.

That may be tough with Chelsea apparently maintaining their interest. Spanish publication Marca (h/t Metro's Tom Olver) have stated that the Blues are one of three clubs "keeping tabs" on Busquets' contract situation: "It’s understood European giants Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Busquets."

The midfield man is keen to sign fresh terms with Barca "despite the club being unable to increase the wage bill this season."

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But in spite of that perceived issue, Enrique remains upbeat about Busquets staying with the Catalan giants, according to FourFourTwo: "That's a club issue between the club and the player. Everybody knows Busquets is a unique player. I don't have any doubt we're going to be able to renew his contract."

Enrique will be acutely aware of Busquets' value to his talented squad. He is the lone steadying force in a midfield otherwise populated by forward-thinking schemers Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta.

While that pair offers support to the awesome three-man forward line of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, Busquets stays back and supplements Barca's defence.

His positional sense and discipline allow extra freedom for the team's full-backs to push forward regularly. On those occasions, Busquets drops back in between both central defenders to give Barcelona a fixed W defensive shape that rarely yields.

Keeping one of the club's biggest homegrown successes in the fold should be a priority for Enrique. There isn't a holding player on the market better than Busquets, so the sooner Barca secure his future, the better.

Riyad Mahrez Could Move

Leicester City won't deny reported Barca target Riyad Mahrez a move if the winger has his head turned by La Liga interest. So said Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri, per Steve Madeley of the Daily Mirror:

"

We want to keep all our players. We believe in them. But if a player says, ‘Boss, I want to go there because it’s my ambition to go there,’ I’ll say, ‘Go and enjoy, and good luck’. I want only players happy to stay here.

"

Mahrez was linked with a move to the Camp Nou last week by the Daily Mirror's Andy Dunn. The Algerian wide man makes sense as a target for any top club thanks to his blend of creativity and scoring instincts.

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But Barca have a similar player in Arda Turan. Still, Enrique will know his front line will need greater depth. Only 20-year-old Munir El Haddadi stands as a credible alternative to Suarez and Co.

Mahrez fits the bill as an attacker Barcelona can use in a variety of ways. But making room to really get the best out of the gifted 25-year-old in a squad already loaded with quality attackers won't be easy.

But there should always be a place in Barca's ranks for key man Busquets. Fending off Premier League interest in the midfield linchpin must be a priority for the club this summer.