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Barcelona have had a good start to 2019! The Catalans won their first match of 2019, when they defeated Getafe 2-1, while rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid faltered - the former drawing 1-1 against Sevilla, while the latter losing 2-0 against Real Sociedad.
Barca now have a five-point lead in LaLiga, and have more good news as they have completed another transfer.
This, and more, in today's Barcelona transfer news and rumours:
#1 Barca sign Jean-Clair Todibo
Barcelona announced today that they have completed the signing of French defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who will be joining the club in the summer on a free transfer.
19-year-old Todibo has had a good season for French club Toulouse and is a highly-rated player in France.
Barcelona's statement read: "FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with the French player Jean-Clair Todibo for him to join the Club from 1 July 2019. The player’s contract with Toulouse FC ends on 30 June this year and so he will join on a free transfer.
"Todibo is a tall, right-footed defender who can play at centre back and also in the centre of the midfield. At the youth level he often featured in the middle of the field given his ability on the ball. One of his best qualities is his physical presence and his ability in the air. At just 19 years of age, the young talent comes to FC Barcelona as one of the most promising players in European Football in his position."
Barcelona look to sign more players in the January transfer window, with PSG's Adrien Rabiot another player set to arrive on a free transfer in the summer, while Frenkie de Jong is another player who is also set to arrive in January, from Ajax.
#2 Manchester United interested in Barca defender
In a shock move, Manchester United have been linked with Barcelona and Spain defender Jordi Alba. Marca are reporting that Alba and Barcelona have not agreed upon a new deal for the Spaniard, which has attracted interest from Chelsea, Juventus and Manchester United.
Alba's contract with the Catalan giants expires in 2020, and he is reportedly demanding to be one of the top earners in the club, having been with the club - and performed exceedingly well - since 2012, when he moved from Valencia.
The left-back has been an integral part of Barca's defence and has won four La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey titles, and one Champions League medal in his spell at Barcelona.
Manchester United currently have Luke Shaw in the left-back position, while Matteo Darmian, as well as Ashley Young, have also played in that position in the recent past.
#3 Denis Suarez Arsenal move
A few days ago it looked like Denis Suarez was going to complete a move to Premier League club Arsenal, but there seems to be some problem with regard to his transfer to the London club.
The issue currently is that the Gunners want to bring Suarez on loan, but Barcelona wants a guarantee from Arsenal that they will pay £20 million for the midfielder in the summer transfer window, as per the Mirror.
West Ham United are also rumoured to be interested in his signature and put in a bid of £20 million, but Suarez isn't keen on a move to the Hammers and prefers a switch to the Emirates.
Suarez hasn't featured much for the Catalans this year and looks set to move away from Nou Camp. He could be a replacement in the Arsenal side for the departing Aaron Ramsey, whose contract with the Gunners ends in the summer.
#4 Manchester United frontrunners to sign Coutinho
In another surprising transfer rumour, Manchester United are reportedly interested in the signature of Brazil and Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho, as per various sources in Spain. Coutinho, who moved from Liverpool to Barcelona last January for £142 million, has found fewer starts in this season which has resulted in rumours of him being unhappy.
The bookmakers are strongly hinting that the Red Devils will put in a bid for the Brazilian in the January transfer window.
But Barcelona's Guillermo Amor has said that Coutinho is a big part of Barcelona's future: "Coutinho’s a player with a lot of experience, one of the best players in Europe and he is ready to play [for] five minutes or 90 minutes.
"He’s a player that thinks more about the team than himself and there are no doubts about him being one of the best players in the world. He’s always played well for Barca, he could play [every game] from the off. Barca signed him because he’s one of the best in the world and he’s going to give us a lot. He’s got many years left on his contract and a lot to give to Barcelona,” said Amor.
