27 Dec 2018 22:46:56
Ed002, possible to ask Barcelona's transfer plans for January and beyond?

{Ed002's Note - It probabbly needs an update but, without timescales it is something like this:
Barcelona will be constrained to adding only one South American/non-Euro/non-Cotenau player without another leaving but in the bigger scheme of things they have an aging squad and they need to raise funds to support an ambitious plan to rebuild. They have been looking at and considering:

Jeroen Zoet (GK)
Alejandro Iturbe (GK) - Kiddie from Atletico that an English side have made an illegal approach for.

Ferland Mendy (LWB) - seen as a cost effective Lucas Digne replacement if Juan Miranda is not ready to step up from the B squad - a good one for the future but Lyon will want too much for a player who could end up being used as cover
Mikel Balenziaga (LB) Athletic will sell for a small fee in January if they can and he would provide just the solution Barcelona need - Valverde wants him but others want to utilise B team players if they can and save money for starters
Marco Alonso (LWB) - only if Jordi Alba were to leave, but player is happy where he is right now
Alex Telles (LWB) - emerging as a favourite after Alonso if Jordi Alba were to leave but serious interest from elsewhere

Joshua Kimmich (RWB) - primary target
Moussa Wague (RWB) – a solution to step up from the B squad after losing out on Alvaro Odriozola

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) preferred choice and Barcelona will likely make an offer for MdL and FdJ as a pair in January - but MdL is very much a January target that looks to be heading elsewhere now
Jeison Murillo (CB) - on loan as a short term fix until the summer - done
Dayot Upamecano (CB) an option to MdL but seen as over priced
Andreas Christensen (CB) seen as a more affordable option
Unai Nunez (CB)
Malang Sarr (CB) - expensive Umtiti replacement – unlikely
Leonardo Balerdi (CB) if he joins he will be loaned back or sent on loan
Djené Dakonam (CB)
Jean-Clair Todibo (CB)

Two CM wanted:
Frenkie de Jong (CM) remains a primary target and the player has agreed the move with Barcelona trying to get the €80M asking price reduced
Adrien Rabiot (CM) - will look for a pre-contract in January and take the player in the summer whilst PSG will continue to strike a deal now but it is really now at risk
Paul Pogba (CM) Expensive, Barcelona will try and include a player in any move, some discussions with Mino but no approach to MU or formal offer and wages will be an issue (unless they can off-load Messi in 2020)
Saul Niguez (CM) interest dates back to a gentleman's agreement that cannot be invoked but seems to be constantly rumoured - not of interest any longer
Rodrigo Bentancur (M) very unlikely
Kevin Kampl (CM) - far down the list back
Aisar Illarramendi (CM) - cheap cover
Dani Parejo (CM)
Pablo Fornals (CM - a back up option
Exequiel Palacios (CM) - heading elsewhere

Lucas Paqueta (AM) - Barcelona have looked again now that Coutinho has taken Portuguese citizenship (although UEFA could yet object) but the player has his heart set on a move elsewhere which is already tentatively agreed but Flamengo are asking if Barcelona will improve the Milan deal which has been agreed in principle already - Kaka involved (€5 million when he signs the contract, €15 million in January 2019, €10m in July 2019 and €5m in January 2020 - I expect he will join Milan as agreed

Nicolas Pepe (RW) – interest is there but interest from elsewhere could win out
Cristian Pavon (RW/F) - staying where he is for now and then will likely head to Barcelona or another English side at some point
Mo Salah (RW/F) would have considered him, but not at the amount of money his agent wanted off RM and only without his required "unique contract clause" - right now the chance is near zip
Kylian Mbappe (RW/F) would need a swap with Dembele and some - a maybe option
Steven Bergwijn (LW/AM) - unlikely
Hirving Lozano (LW/F)

Pedrinho (AM) one for the future
A report in Sport claims that Nou Camp chief Ernesto Valverde will use the two Champions League ties in February and March to scout Nabil Fekir, Houssem Aouar and Tanguy Ndombele – all three of which play in a similar position to Coutinho.

Antoine Griezmann (F) - to replace Suarez, looking unlikely with the player having other ideas.
Gabriel Jesus (F) as an alternative to Griezmann
Timo Werner (S) – unlikely as he is eventually expected to head elsewhere, but Barcelona have continued to scout him but it would need a change of style or him to adapt - hard to see where he naturally fits in
Roberto Firmino (F) has been considered as a potential addition and way down the list for both Barcelona and the previously considering Bayern Munich.
Harry Kane (S)
Neymar (F) Barcelona's Plan X is scrap everything, bring Neymar back and rebuild the attack around him.}


1.) 28 Dec 2018
28 Dec 2018 13:45:53
Wow Ed002, amazing as usual. Could i be greedy and ask where MDL is expected to be heading for now? Thanks

{Ed002's Note - Bayern Munich or Juventus.}


2.) 28 Dec 2018
28 Dec 2018 14:05:36
Thanks Ed

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}


3.) 30 Dec 2018
30 Dec 2018 16:05:43
I'm sorry if this's been covered, but could you perhaps tell what a "unique transfer clause" is? :)

{Ed002's Note - It is not worth my while explaning.}


4.) 30 Dec 2018
30 Dec 2018 16:18:21
Okay, no problemo :)


5.) 15 May 2019
15 May 2019 11:24:45
Hey ed, have the target for Barcelona changed?

and has there been any recent interest in coutinho? they seem to play him as if they auditioning to sell him, he just does not fit their team.

any response is appreciated.

thanks

{Ed002's Note - Yes, I would strike Nicolo Zaniolo from the list. There have been no offers for Coutinho.}