THE KINGS takes a look at the latest transfer news and rumours involving Barcelona
Barcelona have been linked by multiple reports with a move for Manchester City striker Julián Álvarez in the summer. Now, 90min reports that the Argentinian forward is disappointed with his lack of game time since joining the Cityzens in 2022.
The report states that Manchester City still highly value Álvarez and want to extend his contract to ward off interest from Barcelona and other clubs. However, the forward isn’t so sure about renewing especially due to how less he has played this season.
Brazil and Athletico Paranaense’s 17-year-old sensation Vitor Roque has admitted that he dreams of playing for Barcelona, who are among some of Europe’s elite teams fighting for the forward’s signature.
“I feel ready to make the move to Barcelona, of course. Would be amazing to play with Lewandowski,” Roque declared in an interview with SPORT.
“Barcelona is a dream. If I end up there, it will be a great joy for my family and me. It’d be a fantastic move.”
Vitor Roque: “I feel ready to make the move to Barcelona, of course. Would be amazing to play with Lewandowski”, tells Sport with @joaquimpiera. 🔵🔴🇧🇷 #FCB“Barcelona is a dream. If I end up there, it will be a great joy for my family and me. It’d be a fantastic move”. pic.twitter.com/Za0joeHmC1
Manchester City striker Julián Álvarez has been linked with Barcelona as per multiple reports in the past few weeks, with the Catalans seeing him as a successor to Lewandowski.
However, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is in no mood to sell the World Cup Winner to his former club, as he sees him as a striker who brings something different compared to Erling Haaland to the table, reports Fichajes.
Barcelona were interested all of last year and at the beginning of this one in signing Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko for cheap or free next season before he extended his contract.
Now, Fichajes reports that any club interested in signing the striker will have to dish out €80m for Borussia Dortmund to consider selling him.
Barcelona still consider Moukoko as the ideal successor to current ace Robert Lewandowski, but in addition to the price tag will also have to face competition from Bayern Munich.
According to Fichajes, Barcelona are currently leading the race to sign Leicester City’s Belgian midfielder, Youri Tielemans. The Belgian’s contract is up in the summer and he will be available on a free transfer.
Barcelona are keen on making a move for Borussia Dortmund’s starlet Paris Brunner, according to Sport. The Catalan side have been tracking him for some time and do not want to miss out on the talented youngster.
Sergio Busquets is waiting to have some clarity from Barcelona regarding his future with his contract set to expire at the end of the season. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Blaugranas are eager to tie him down with a new deal.
According to Spanish outlet AS, Barcelona are keeping a close eye on Takefusa Kubo’s progression at Real Sociedad and have contacted his agent to check his potential availability this summer.
The Japan international spent his formative years in the Barcelona academy before a spell in Tokyo. He joined at Real Madrid but was sold to Real Sociedad after failing to nail down a first-team spot.
Now, Barcelona coach Xavi wants to bring Kubo back to Camp Nou for his future project. The operation seems very complicated, with Real Madrid believed to hold the right of first refusal as well as a 50% sell-on clause in Kubo’s deal.
Barcelona are reportedly planning for what could be a massive clearout this summer as they look to reduce their over-bloated wage bill to within €200m La Liga limit by next season.
With the exception of six players, head coach Xavi Hernandez has also approved the sale of a few of big-name talents, including Ansu Fati, as reported by El Nacional.
The Spaniard hasn’t been at his best form since returning from a lengthy injury layoff this season, and is said to be attracting interest from some top English clubs. Meanwhile, Xavi has declared six Barcelona players as untouchable.
Those six players are Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Gavi, Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen, all of whom have played a pivotal role this season.
Fabrizio Romano has provided an intriguing update on Ndicka’s situation, suggesting that the left-footed central defender is open to offers.
There are multiple teams interested in his services, including Barcelona, and the race for his signature is still open.
It was claimed a few days ago that Barcelona had reached a deal with Ndicka regarding a Bosman move in the summer and that the signing would be finalised around March.
Evan N’Dicka remains open to proposals as he’s expected to leave Eintracht on a free transfer in the summer — contract will expire in June 🚨🔴 #transfersIt’s not a done deal with Barcelona at this stage — they are among many clubs following N’Dicka but the race is still open. pic.twitter.com/qmv4gXrYJz
According to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercatoweb, AC Milan will look into landing central defender Samuel Umtiti in the summer transfer window if he departs Barcelona as a free agent.
The reigning Serie A winner are in the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window, and have identified the Frenchman as a potential alternative.
According to MARCA, AC Milan have not changed their plans on Sergino Dest. The reigning Serie A champions are not keen on keeping hold of the Barcelona and USMNT star, who joined the club on a season-long loan deal last summer.
Dest’s loan deal included a permanent purchase clause worth €20m, but the Rossonerri do not intent to activate that option, because the American full-back has failed to impress coach Stefano Pioli and has dropped down the pecking order.
According to a new story from Alfredo Martinez on SPORT, Arsenal were very interested in signing Raphinha in January, and even lodged a reasonable offer in the region of €70m for the Brazilian.
While the offer was economically sound, the Catalan outfit rejected the offer from Arsenal, with Xavi & Co. not convinced of the sale, believing that Raphinha has the quality to become an asset for the team, despite his early struggles since arriving at Camp Nou.
Frenkie De Jong’s future at Barcelona is at a crossroads and the midfielder could leave Blaugrana in the summer amid financial crisis for the Catalan giants, with Manchester United still a viable option, according to Calciomercato.
The Premier League giants were strongly linked with the Dutch midfielder throughout last year and they could finally land the 25-year-old this summer as they look to pounce upon Barcelona’s financial issues.
The report adds that in order to keep De Jong at the Spotify Camp Nou, he would have to take a substantial wage cut, something the player doesn’t want to consider.
Instead, the Dutch ace is giving serious thought to quitting the club at the end of the season, which makes a move to Old Trafford feasible this time around.
According to Catalan TV show Tot Costa, Lionel Messi’s father and agent Jorge Messi has already met with FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta to discuss several topics during the chat.
As per the report, the first topic discussed between the two parties was the future of Messi and a potential return to the club, which will also hinge on a salary reduction made by Barça next summer and economic conditions set by La Liga that forces the Catalan club to slash their wage bill.
🚨 Trobada Laporta – Jorge Messi Notícia Tot costa ‼️Una reunió recent que va servir per parlar de:➡️ El possible futur de Messi al Barça➡️ L’homenatge que el Barça té previst fer➡️La polèmica pel que va dir Matias Messihttps://t.co/ONdsIYhsS5 pic.twitter.com/6SkiMokC3k
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are set to miss out on Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard, with the Frenchman now looking to extend his stay with the Bavarians.
Pavard previously stated he is looking to move on to a new project, however, the report states that Barcelona’s inability to pay Bayern Munich’s asking price, along with his relationship improving with Julian Nagelsmann, have all led to him favouring to stay at Bayern.
Barcelona are keen on securing a right-back for the first team in the summer and have identified Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot as a potential target.
According to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are keen on signing Dalot whose contract is up in 2024.
According to SPORT, highly-rated Bayer Leverkusen talent Florian Wirtz will accept a move to Barcelona should they make a bid for him.
However, the report states that it will be difficult for Barcelona to sign him in the summer due to their ongoing financial issues, and with Bayer Leverkusen likely to ask for a high price.
Sources have told ESPN that Leeds United are trying to sign Barcelona teenager Ilias Akhomach on a free transfer in the summer.
The 18-year-old is yet to be convinced to sign an extension with the Catalans, and a move to the Premier League could well be on the cards for the Spaniard.
