Barcelona find themselves in unfamiliar territory. The Catalan club have already been relegated to the Europa League and want to make the top four in the La Liga. The financial mess Los Blaugrana find themselves in means they have to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, as the funds are vital for survival.
Barcelona have been scrounging for players and looking for cheap deals to get them out of the rut. A bit of financial ingenuity allowed the club to sign Ferran Torres this January. To bring in players, some will have to leave. They have found it an arduous task getting deadwood out the door.
Ousmane Dembele has been a bone in the side for Barcelona. The player is yet to agree to new terms with the club and seems to hold the keys to more players arriving at Camp Nou. Meanwhile, Barcelona have eyes on Adama Traore but will need to offload some players to make room for him.
Barca want Adama Traore amid Dembele renewal
Ousmane Dembele has taken on massive importance to FC Barcelona. The Catalan giants have shown interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Adama Traore. According to ESPN, any deal for the Barca graduate is dependent on how Dembele’s contract situation gets resolved.
Dembele has six months of his current deal to go, but the 24-year-old continues to dither over a contract extension. Barcelona last week told the French international to find a new club before the end of the month. Dembele replied to the club that he would not succumb to blackmail.
As first revealed by Diario Sport, negotiations are still on for Dembele, with reports claiming that his agent Moussa Sissoko had a meeting on Wednesday with Barca coach Xavi Hernandez and sporting advisor Jordi Cruyff.
Sissoko maintains that Dembele intends to remain with Barcelona. There is a five-year contract offer on the table for the French international. The club is hoping for a decision before the end of the month.
Barcelona can spread out the remaining amortization payments on Dembele if he signs a new deal. It will make room on their wage bill to bring in another player. If Dembele leaves, he would also free up salary space.
Traore, Morata - who fills in for injured Fati
According to ESPN, Barcelona was interested in Juventus forward Alvaro Morata. With the transfer window set to close in less than a week, it is unlikely the move will happen. The process to tie up a deal for the Spanish striker may prove too much for the Catalans.
Focus now turns to Traore, who is a La Masia graduate. Xavi has requested reinforcements but face competition for Traore with Tottenham Hotspur. The North London club have held talks with Wolves over a €20 million move for Traore.
Traore made four appearances for Barcelona before joining Aston Villa in 2015. He also played for Middlesbrough before joining Wolves.
The 26-year-old has 18 months left on his contract, and Wolves seem ready to cash in on the player, who is keen on a move.
Wolves have a good relationship with Barcelona, following deals for Nelson Semedo and Francisco Trincao from the Catalan club.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
