With one week until pre-season starts, how are Barcelona shaping up?

In little over one week, on July 19, Barcelona will start pre-season training and Luis Enrique will begin to work on the new campaign, with the club’s internationals joining the squad at varying stages. 

So far, the club have confirmed two signings: French international defender Samuel Umtiti and midfielder Denis Suarez. They’ve also announced that, in principle, Sergi Samper will be part of the first team for the time being. On top of that, Neymar has signed a new deal, with Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Luis Suarez the next in line for new contracts. 

However, this summer’s ins and outs are not over - not by a long way - and sporting director Robert Fernandez and the club continue to work on finalising the squad Luis Enrique will have next season as he looks to win a third consecutive domestic double, as well as fighting for the club’s sixth Champions League. 

BARCELONA’S SQUAD 2016/17

Here is how Luis Enriqe’s team is shaping up for the Asturian’s third season at the club. 

GOALKEEPERS: Barça count on three goalkeepers in Claudio Bravo, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Jordi Masip. Luis Enrique is happy with them all and Masip looks set to continue in his role as third choice keeper. Rumours about one of the two first choice stoppers leaving have not stopped, with Ter Stegen recently linked with Manchester City, but the club’s intention is to keep them both. 

DEFENDERS: So far, Barça have lost Dani Alves (Juventus) and Marc Bartra (Borussia Dortmund), while they’d be happy to let Douglas, Adriano and Thomas Vermaelen leave, too. Douglas didn’t accept a return to Brazil, Adriano could still move to Lazio and Vermaelen’s thought to be close to switching to Roma. Centre-back Samuel Umtiti has been signed, while a full-back is still on the shopping list. Joao Cancelo (Valencia) is a target. Luis Enrique has faith in Sergi Roberto’s versatility and the club believe that Aleix Vidal, who could play on either side of the bad four,  will make up for lost time. Marquinhos is also still linked with the club due to his problems with Paris Saint-Germain, although signing him would be expensive. 

MIDFIELD: Barça’s midfield base is solid with Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta, although medium-term Luis Enrique may look to re-model it. The arrival of Denis Suarez, who can also play as a forward, offers the club, along with Rafinha, two replacements for the two more attacking midfield roles. Sergi Samper’s future will be evaluated in pre-season. And also there’s still the chance that Arda Turan could leave and Andre Gomes could arrive. The Turkish international, though, wants to stay at the club. The club, meanwhile, are looking into the signing of Andre Gomes in the case that Arda does eventually leave, although the Valencia midfielder would not come cheap. Barça would look to include Alen Halilovic or Cristian Tello in any operation. 

FORWARDS: The squad’s most effective area, but also one which needs adding to. The Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar trident is unquestionable, but last season it was shown that back-up is needed for the trio. Sandro (Malaga) has now left the club, but Munir is still in the first team. Barça are looking for a fourth forward, but it won’t be Nolito (Manchester City) as Luis Enrique wanted. Lucas Perez’s name is on the list, as is Atletico Madrid’s Yannick-Ferreira Carrasco. Meanwhile, young Brazilian star Gabriel Jesus is a medium-term objective, with other European clubs, such as Real Madrid and Inter, also competing for the teenager.