Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has insisted that he is "satisfied" with the players recruited last year and is confident of further strengthening the squad this summer.

The Catalan giants are in need of more options ahead of the 2017-18 campaign after missing out in La Liga and the Champions League last time out, instead settling for just the Copa del Rey.

Of last summer's recruits, only defender Samuel Umtiti earned a regular starting spot, but Fernandez claims that it is not easy persuading players to join a club where chances could be limited.

"The main difficulty we have when it comes to signing players is the greatness of this club because it means many players won't come, as they know they will play little," he told the club's official magazine. "The squad will, of course, be strengthened in the positions where we need it and [those who arrive] will be important players.

"We are happy and satisfied with the signings made last year because we think that they will take important steps forward in their careers this season. Players need time to adapt because it's not easy. They are young players."

Barca are thought to have prioritised signing a creative midfielder and a new right-back, with Marco Verratti and Nacho Monreal being heavily linked in recent weeks.