Barcelona Transfer Roundup: Prime target eyes move elsewhere instead of Barcelona and Real Madrid, Serie A giants want €50M-rated attacker, and more - April 25, 2019

FC Barcelona v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg
FC Barcelona v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg

Hello and welcome to the daily transfer roundup for FC Barcelona. As we move a step closer to transfer window, the rumour mills keep churning out news about possible transfer everyday.

Today's top transfer news and rumours feature Luka Jovic, Malcom, de Ligt and Samuel Umtiti.

Here the top transfer news and rumours of the day surrounding the Catalan giants!

Spanish giants feel used by Luka Jovic

Luka Jovic is one of the hottest properties in Europe right now and it is no secret that both Barcelona and Real Madrid are trying to secure the services of the striker. Both the Spanish giants are scouting the Serbian sharpshooter for some time now as Jovic has been on their radar due to his majestic performances.

With 17 goals and six assists in the Bundesliga so far, Jovic is enjoying meteoric rise to fame and is currently the joint-second top scorer in the Bundesliga, just behind Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski.

Jovic has also racked up 8 goals in the Europa League and Frankfurt made his loan from Benfica permanent by signing the striker for just €12 million last week.

While Jovic's father revealed that they have received offers from Barcelona, Frankfurt's sporting director has claimed that a move to Los Blancos remains a huge possibility.

In a recent interview, the sporting director of Frankfurt said:

"There's a real possibility that Jovic signs for Real Madrid."
"I hope and want him to stay here at Eintracht, but I'm also realistic and know that if a big club like Real Madrid want him then we haven't got a chance of keeping him."

If reports are to be believed, Frankfurt and Jovic's agents are constantly using interests from Real Madrid and Barcelona to increase the price of the player. Moreover, they have leaked meetings to ignite rumours and get more offers from other teams.

Barcelona met with Jovic's representatives but Frankfurt wants more than €50 million. Los Blancos want the player to but increasing price tag could be a huge problem. As of now, Jovic's most likely destination seems to be Bayern Munich or PSG.

Malcom wanted by Milan

SD Huesca v FC Barcelona - La Liga
SD Huesca v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Malcom signed a five-year contract at the Camp Nou after joining for €41 million last summer from Bordeaux but things have not gone the way as planned for him. Malcom finds himself below down the pecking order of Ernesto Valverde's squad, who featured just 774 minutes for the Catalan giants in the current campaign.

AC Milan reportedly are interested in the Brazilian forward and according to the reports, Milan's sporting director has already held meetings with Malcom's agents in the last few days. Barcelona have set his price tag at €50 million euros, which will be a problem for Milan. The Serie A giants hope to renegotiate the terms of the deal to reach an agreement.

It is likely that the Blaugrana forward seek other teams if he wants more minutes on the pitch. Inter Milan are also linked with Malcom and it remains to be seen which club the Brazilian chooses if he decides to leave.

De Ligt should join Barcelona, claims Frank de Boer

Juventus v Ajax - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg
Juventus v Ajax - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg

Dutch legend Frank de Boer gave his views on de Ligt and what should be his next destination be in the summer.

Speaking to W Radio Columbia, De Boer said:

"Matthijs de Ligt can play in any team in the world, but for me, he must go to an attractive football that press forward like Barcelona, Manchester City, PSG ... Those teams, in my eyes, are suitable for him."

"It seems as if he had played Champions League and World Cup matches a long time ago, but he is only 19 years old , and he is already with the Dutch national team and with Ajax in the Champions."

Barcelona are in pole position to sign Ajax Prodigy Matthijs De Ligt despite huge interest from top clubs across Europe.

The 19-year-old Dutch centre-back has proved his potential for both Ajax and Netherlands this season against toughest of opponents like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Germany. De Ligt is a product of famed Ajax academy and the fact that he is leading the Dutch side at such a young age, portrays his ability.

Samuel Umtiti to stay at Barcelona

SD Huesca v FC Barcelona - La Liga
SD Huesca v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Samuel Umtiti missed numerous months in the current campaign and has found himself below down the pecking order after Lenglet's superb performance at Blaugrana rearguard. With the arrival of De Ligt likely in the summer, there are rumours linking Umtiti with a move away from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.

But according to reports from Spanish media outlet Sport, Umtiti has decided to stay with the Catalan giants and see out his contract. Although there were rumours claiming that Premier League and Serie A clubs were interested, Umtiti has no intention of leaving Barcelona in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The French defender's current deal expires in 2023. Umtiti is currently valued at around €80m with his buyout clause at a whooping €500m. It is unlikely that Umtiti will be frustrated for not playing because he was injured for numerous months. Although it is improbable that he leaves this summer, the arrival of another center-back may change things.

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Edited by Jong Ching Yee