Barcelona enter the race for Aurier
Barcelona have joined Manchester United in the race to sign PSG’s powerful right back Serge Aurier, according to reports from L’equipe. Reports claim the defender is available for £17m this summer after falling out with the manager Unai Emery.
L'equipe claims Barcelona club representatives have already met with the player’s agent and have expressed their eagerness to sign the Ivory Coast international next season. The Catalan club have struggled to find an apt replacement for Dani Alves and are also linked with a move for Hector Bellerin.
Aurier is reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ with Manchester United as well which could lead to a bidding war between the two European heavyweights. Aurier is 24-year-old and is expected to be one of the top right-backs in next few seasons.
Why did Barcelona fail to sign Asensio?
Marco Asensio has enjoyed a breakthrough season under Zinedine Zidane after a couple of loan stints with Espanyol. Asensio signed for Los Blancos for as little as €3.5million back in 2014, however, reports from Sport claim that Barca were close to signing the dazzling playmaker as well.
As per the reports Andoni Zubizarreta, the sporting director at Barca was convinced of Asensio’s abilities and had even struck a €4.5million deal with Mallorca, which was due to be paid in two different instalments.
However, Mallorca’s cash crunch forced them to ask for the entire sum at once and Real Madrid swooped in to complete Asensio’s transfer. Seeing how the 21-year-old has emerged on the scenes of Spanish football this season, Barcelona may end up regretting the decision to not sign the Spanish midfield star.
Messi wants Vermaelen gone
Lionel Messi has demanded Barcelona to get rid of central defender Thomas Vermaelen in the summer and not allow him a return to Camp Nou this summer. Vermaelen is currently playing for AS Roma on loan and the Serie A side have decided against signing the Belgian central defender.
However, Diario Gol claims Vermaelen would need to find a new club in the summer after Barcelona’s senior players including Messi and Gerard Pique told the club board that Vermaelen has no place in the team.
The Catalan club is linked with a move for PSG’s Marquinhos to provide the much-needed cover in defence with Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu also tipped to quit Camp Nou this summer.
£30m-per-year deal agreed for Messi?
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is reportedly set to open talks with the club over a new contract that is said to be worth £30m-a-year. Messi has managed 45 goals and 17 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions this season but has kept his boyhood club at bay over a new deal.
However, According to Marca, Messi’s father Jorge is now back in Barcelona and will sit down with the club to agree on a long-term deal to keep the Argentine superstar at the club for many seasons to follow. Messi has been linked with a surprise switch to the Premier League this summer with Manchester clubs preparing a £150-200million bid for him.
As speculations continue to surround Messi, he and team have to take on Real Madrid in a must-win game tomorrow as they look to retain their La Liga title. Barca are three points behind Zinedine Zidane’s side who have played one less game.
