Barcelona have made a bright start to their summer. The former La Liga champions have already secured the signatures of Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero who arrived at the Camp Nou as free agents.
The club is very close to completing the transfer of Memphis Depay as well. Depay, if he signs the contract, will be the third player to sign a contract with the former La Liga champions as a free agent.
Emerson Royal, a Barca youth academy product has also found his way to the club after Barcelona triggered the £9 million buy-back clause to sign him from Real Betis. All in all, the Blaugrana has made an exciting start to the season.
The Spanish giants were extremely close to completing the signing of Georginio Wijnaldum as well before Paris Saint-Germain hijacked the deal at the last possible minute. Having said that, the cules could be facing a similar situation with regards to Memphis Depay, with Juventus said to have offered him a better contract with respect to the financial element.
Mundo Deportivo understands that the Serie A giants have offered the former Olympique Lyon forward £3 million more, leaving Barcelona to wonder if they have lost out on another quality signing for the second time in a row.
Depay completing the deal with Barcelona appears far less certain than it did a week ago. The former Serie A champions have tabled a better offer and are hoping to take advantage of the weak financial situation at the Camp Nou.
Lautaro Martinez’s agent, Alejandro Camano, on the other hand hasn’t ruled out Martinez playing in a Barca shirt next season. The Argentine striker came extremely close to completing a transfer to Barcelona last summer but the delicate financial situation of the Blaugrana meant that he had to stay for another season in Italy with Inter Milan. Though Inter have won their first scudetto in 10 years, Lautaro Martinez could leave the club, now that Antonio Conte has left the club after differing with the club on certain issues.
Speaking about the 23-year-old’s future, Camano said:
We are very calm, we have to resolve the Inter situation first, but of course he would like it. Who would not like to play for Barcelona? It is one of the biggest clubs in the world.
No one from Barcelona has called me. I have a good relationship with Mateu [Alemany], but there is nothing, so we are not thinking about it now. He is prepared for any challenge. Lautaro is a player who does not go unnoticed and can face any responsibility.
Source: Diario Sport
Mundo Deportivo has understood that Nuno Mendes has been offered to Barcelona for a sum of £40 million. The club is currently said to be interested in signing Valencia skipper Jose Gaya to strengthen their left flank. Mendes, 18, has also been linked with a move to England this summer with Manchester City said to be the favorites to sign him.
The Portuguese starlet has had his breakthrough season with Sporting CP, featuring 35 times this season, scoring once and assisting on two occasions.
Nuno Mendes could be the perfect replacement for Jordi Alba who is set to enter the final phase of his career. Alba, 32, had a remarkable season as well but the Spaniard cannot be expected to deliver time and time again in the dying stages of his career.
Barcelona are said to be interested in bringing the 18-year-old to the Camp Nou but the £40 million valuation of the youngster is proving to be a stumbling block for the Catalan giants.
Should things change at Sporting CP with the valuation of the 18-year-old dropping further, Barcelona would fancy their chances to sign the wonderkid but for now, the former La Liga champions are said to be prioritising a summer move for Jose Gaya.
