Rabiot and De Ligt: The ball is in their court

The season may be carrying on as normal but Barcelona are still planning for the future.

While they are competing on the pitch to wrap up LaLiga Santander, getting to the final of the Copa del Rey and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, there are other things being planned in the Camp Nou offices.

On the table in terms of summer arrivals are two players who Barcelona have never hidden their interest in Matthijs de Ligt and Adrien Rabiot.

The two players are liked a lot by the club's hierarchy but they are also adamant that they won't lose their head and overspend in pursuit of the duo.

As happened with Frenkie de Jong, those within the club believe that in addition to a lucrative economic offer, they also have the appeal that only playing for the Blaugrana can give.

In the case of the Frenchman and the Dutchman, there are certain similarities.

The most notable is that the two have already received a proposal from Barcelona, although they haven't formally spoken.

Rabiot comes with the bonus the his contract ends in June so he is the owner of his own destiny.

There is no need to reach an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain so it is a matter of the player taking a step forward and deciding whether or not to accept the Cules' offer.

Within the offices of Barcelona, they are adamant that if the player doesn't approach them to give it the go-ahead, there will be no deal.

The Blaugrana have been in contact with him since last summer but the matter isn't yet finished.

At the beginning of 2019, when he was officially permitted to negotiate with other clubs, it seemed that the matter could be resolved quickly but things have slowed down in recent weeks.

In fact, Rabiot has changed his agent (it had always been his mother) and that could force him to restart the conversations.

In any case, the club's position is very clear: they will not increase the offer they have put on the table.

When it comes to De Ligt, the situation is similar, although it isn't quite as forceful.

Other factors come into play with the Ajax man, such as the fact that he is under contract and occupies a position on the field in which it is much more difficult to find a player of the level of Barcelona.

His style and the fact that he is a player who has the potential to become one of the best in his position also makes him an attractive prospect.

Being too forceful in the approach could be a mistake so with the Dutchman, there is room to negotiate, as long as there is a gesture from him.

In large part, the attitude of Barcelona with the two signings has changed since they consider that they have covered themselves well with the additions that have recently been announced.

De Jong and Jean-Clair Todibo reinforce the areas which De Ligt and Rabiot occupy, so if those deals aren't wrapped up, then Barcelona do have options.