Barcelona news LIVE: Barca agree to pay £15m striker transfer release clause, medical soon

Barcelona news LIVE updates and transfer gossip from the Nou Camp

Wednesday, February 18

  • Barcelona are set to complete the signing of Leganes forward Martin Braithwaite
  • The Catalan giants will trigger the Denmark forward’s £15m release clause
  • LA Galaxy have joined the transfer race for Argentine superstar Lionel Messi
  • Manchester United have been given hope can sign striker Lautaro Martinez

Jude Bellingham interest

Chelsea remain interested in Birmingham youngster Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham, 16, has attracted plenty of attention having made 29 Championship appearances this season with Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid all credited with interest.

Birmingham may have to consider selling their sought-after teenager, whose contract expires in June 2021.

However, Goal claim Pep Clotet’s see want at least £50million for the talented central midfielder.

Lionel Messi phone call

LA Galaxy have joined the transfer race for superstar Lionel Messi according to reports from broadcast journalist John E. Rojas last night on social media.

Rojas made it clear that the MLS club have made contact with the Argentine’s representatives and are among strong candidates that are willing to offer Messi a chance to move on from Barcelona.

He wrote on Twitter: “Argentinian media discussing how LA Galaxy’s GBS called Messi’s dad after Zlatan left to see how turmoil in FC Barcelona was affecting Lionel and if the player has a plan to move forward, thinking the MLS club could be an option.”

It would not come as a surprise as LA Galaxy have previously made bold transfer moves when signing striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic from AC Milan while also acquiring the services of David Beckham, Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard.

Martin Braithwaite deal

Barcelona are set to complete the signing of Leganes forward Martin Braithwaite.

The Catalan giants were given permission to secure an emergency signing outside of the transfer window by Spanish authorities after confirming forward Ousmane Dembele would miss at least the next six months with a hamstring issue.

And they’ve wasted no time in delivering a new arrival to partner Lionel Messi and co. at the Nou Camp.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Barcelona have agreed to pay Braithwaite’s £15million release clause.

The former Middlesbrough and 39-capped Denmark international is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days before officially joining Quique Setien’s ranks.

Lautaro Martinez latest

Manchester United have been given hope that they can secure a summer move for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.

The 22-year-old has been in great form for Inter this season and already has scored 16 goals and provided four assists from 29 appearances.

Barcelona see Martinez as the ideal replacement for 33-year-old Luis Suarez.

But the Catalan giants are not willing to meet the player’s current release clause of £92million.

According to Italian publication CalcioMercato, Barca could be willing to structure a deal for potentially more than this amount but provided that the payments are made in installments.

False accusations

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has branded accusations of unethical practices on social media by the club as “completely false”.

A Spanish radio station claimed the LaLiga champions hired a social media firm to criticise key figures associated with the Catalonia side in a bid to protect Bartomeu’s reputation.

It was suggested I3 Ventures had been hired to publish stories that damaged the image of several players and ex-players, after they had criticised Bartomeu.

Barcelona denied any wrongdoing in a statement on Monday night, and according the club website Bartomeu said on Tuesday: “In (the) first place, and so that no one is left in any doubt, Barca has not contracted any services to disparage neither players, nor politicians, nor former presidents. It is completely false.

“We will defend ourselves wherever necessary via all means at our disposal against anyone who accuses (us) of such practices.”

Arsenal want defender

Arsenal are reportedly keen to sign Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah, who has a £33million (€40m) release clause. The Gunners will attempt to bolster their defensive ranks this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to rebalance his squad.

Arsenal are very forward-heavy and need to shore up at the back this summer.

According to SportBild journalist Christian Falk the north Londoners are hoping to swoop for Tah.

The 24-year-old has a wealth of experience racking up 210 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit.

The next step in Tah’s career could be a move to the Emirates Stadium, if Arsenal follow up their interest.

Falk tweeted: “Exclusive: @Arsenal is interested in @jonatah. The defender of @bayer04fussball and @DFB_Team has a release clause of 40 mil Euros @SPORTBILD.”

Scouting mission

Liverpool are reportedly tracking Milot Rashica, with Jurgen Klopp sending scouts to watch the Werder Bremen attacker. It’s the second player he is keeping tabs on in the Bundesliga, with Timo Werner also on the club’s radar.

The Reds will be looking to bolster their attacking options next season, particularly with Xherdan Shaqiri expected to seek an exit at the end of the campaign.

And Bild claim the Reds are already eyeing his potential replacement in the form of Rashica.

The report claims that Klopp has ordered scouts to watch the player in addition to fellow Bundesliga star Werner.

Rashica has a release clause around the £35million region and has seven goals in 18 matches this season for Werder.

source: express.co.uk