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Hello and welcome to the daily transfer roundup for FC Barcelona. The summer transfer window is still more than a month away but the clubs are already busy making plans for the upcoming seasons.
After having already secured Ajax prodigy Frenkie De Jong in the winter transfer window, the Catalan giants are only eyeing to spend in the departments where they need reinforcements. Today's top transfer news and rumors feature Matthijs De Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and Sergio Busquets.
Here are the top transfer news and rumors of the day surrounding the Catalan giants!
Zinedine Zidane wants De Ligt
There is no doubt that the Catalan giants have been after Matthijs De Ligt for a while. If reports are to be believed, Barcelona remain in pole position to secure the services of Ajax captain as the player himself prefers the Blaugrana but there are growing obstacles in their way.
There were rumors that European giants like Juventus and Bayern Munich were in the race and that Real Madrid may plot a move if Raphael Varane leaves. According to a report from Sport via Corriere dello Sport, Zidane wants De Ligt as a replacement to Raphael Varane which makes things more complicated for Barcelona.
Also see : Copa America Standings, Gold Cup Standings, La Liga Transfer News.
It is well known that De Ligt won't feature for Ajax next season, just like his teammate Frenkie De Jong, who was signed by Barcelona in the winter transfer window. According to the report, Barcelona remains confident to secure the Dutch talent but Zidane hopes to convince De Ligt to change his mind.
Ajax's director of football, Marc Overmars, already admitted that Blaugrana are favorites to land the Ajax captain. Even Ajax boss Ten Hag revealed that Barcelona and Bayern Munich are on course for signing De Ligt, with Catalan giants leading the race.
De Ligt has come up from the ranks of the famed Ajax academy, which is known for nurturing great players. The Dutch prodigy garnered wide attention due to his majestic displays for Ajax and Netherlands this campaign, and like Barca, Ajax are still in contention for a treble.
Barcelona calls off a move for Marcus Rashford
There were rumors that Barcelona were eyeing a move for Manchester United star, Marcus Rashford. But according to fresh reports, Barcelona are no longer after Marcus Rashford and won't bid for the England forward because they believe the transfer fee is too expensive.
There were rumors of Rashford's exit when Jose Mourinho in charge but since the arrival of Ole Gunner Solskjaer, Rashford is showing his caliber. The 21-year-old forward is among the players who play a pivotal role in Solskjaer's future plans for the club. United hierarchy realizes that Rashford is an asset and won't be willing to let go off the player for less than a whopping €150 million.
On the other hand, Rashford is yet to sign a new contract at Old Trafford with his current deal set to expire in 2020.
Frenkie De Jong on De Ligt
Matthijs De Ligt's teammate, Frenkie De Jong, already secured his move to Barcelona in the January transfer window for a reported fee of €75 million. De Jong will join the Blaugrana camp in the coming summer but has claimed that he won't interfere with De Ligt's wishes on a potential move.
"De Ligt with me at Barcelona? I don't care ", De Jong said to Sport via Calciomercato.
"He is the one who has to choose, and I will not interfere in his decision."
Sergio Busquets on his future
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Busquets opened up about De Jong and claimed that he won't mind moving to the USA.
The midfielder said:
“Obviously you can’t predict the future but I’m a fan of the USA and football is growing there. The competitive style and the format of the playoffs in the MLS are different to what we’re used to here and that’s what attracts me.”
When asked about Frenkie de Jong, Busquets replied:
“He’s a spectacular player. There aren’t many players around of his age with that level of control with the ball and that mobility."
"And after coming from the Ajax academy, which is very similar to our own, he has all the fundamentals to be successful here.”
