Barcelona transfer news LIVE updates from the Nou Camp
Tuesday, January 14
- New boss Quique Setien once blocked Barcelona’s approach for Fabian Ruiz
- The Spanish champions offered £850k for the £86m-rated Napoli midfielder
- Barcelona have three targets in mind to replace the injured Luis Suarez
- Barcelona retain interest in Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar
Dani Olmo U-turn
Barcelona are no longer interested in signing Dinamo Zagreb winger Dani Olmo.
And that’s good news for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, who are eager to sign the one-capped Spanish international.
The Catalan giants were leading Chelsea and Manchester United in the race to sign the 21-year-old attacking talent.
But Mundo Deportivo claim Barcelona have withdrawn their interest – handing the Premier League duo a free run at completing a deal for Olmo.
Fabian Ruiz latest
New boss Quique Setien once blocked Barcelona’s approach for Fabian Ruiz, Mundo Deportivo report.
The Spanish champions, along with rivals Real Madrid and Manchester United, have been linked with £86million-rated Ruiz over the past several months.
But Barcelona could have snapped him up for a paltry £850,000 in 2017.
Setien was a big fan of Ruiz during their time together at Real Betis and personally blocked Barcelona’s approach for the midfielder before his £25m transfer to Napoli the following year.
First signing?
Barcelona want to sign a replacement for the injured Luis Suarez.
The 32-year-old Uruguay international went under the knife on Sunday and is now facing a battle to play again this season.
And Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim Girona’s Cristhian Stuani, AC Milan forward Rafael Leao and Gabriel Barbosa of Inter Milan are all being considered.
Setien, 61, was named as Ernesto Valverde’s successor on Monday evening and it’s already been suggested that a transfer could be on the horizon.
Neymar interest
Barcelona retain interest in Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar despite missing out on him in the summer.
Blaugrana came close to re-signing the Brazilian forward but did not meet PSG’s fee demands and could therefore not secure the wantaway player.
Neymar has now settled back in at Parc des Princes, scoring 10 goals in 11 league games this season, but Goal claim that he remains Barca’s number one target.
The La Liga champions are said to be determined to welcome back Neymar but will have to pay through the nose for the 27-year-old, whose contracted to PSG until June 2022.
Ernesto Valverde sacked recap
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has been sacked and replaced by Quique Setien despite the club being top of the LaLiga table.
Valverde, 55, took training on Monday morning amid intense speculation his time as coach was about to come to an end and his fate was sealed later in the evening.
The former Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol manager has guided Barca to LaLiga titles in each of his two full seasons in charge, as well as winning the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup in 2018.
Former Real Betis boss Setien was named as Valverde’s successor soon after, on a contract until June 2022.
Antonio Conte double swoop
Antonio Conte has been given the green light to complete two Premier League signings.
That’s according to Italian website Calciomercato, who claim Inter Milan directors are ready give the manager exactly what he’s asked for.
It’s said Inter are putting together the finishing touches to a deal for Manchester United defender Ashley Young.
Directors are also reported to be close to completing a deal for Olivier Giroud after successfully lowering Chelsea’s valuation to £1.7million.