In this instalment of our TT Roundup, Football Transfer Tavern have gathered three of the biggest stories to have involved Barcelona recently and have provided our thoughts on the reports published.
Barca set to offer Ansu Fati new deal
Barcelona are reportedly set to offer 16-year-old forward Ansu Fati a new deal (according to Mundo Deportivo via the Daily Mail). The teenager, who has recently became eligible to represent Spain, has impressed for the club’s first-team this season having scored twice in five appearances for the Catalan titans.
Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claim that Barcelona have offered the contract which includes an £87.5million release clause.
Verdict
This is a clever move from Barcelona considering the start Fati has made to life in the senior side at the Camp Nou. He’s such an exciting prospect and only 16 years of age, meaning clubs will definitely be interested in signing him should he continue with his impressive form.
The inclusion of such a big release clause means that the Catalans will reap the financial rewards should he ever leave the club, though it looks unlikely that he’d be allowed to depart considering his vast potential for the Blaugrana.
Barcelona eye up Suarez replacement
Mundo Deportivo also reported that Barcelona are eyeing up a potential replacement for striker Luis Suarez. The Catalans have allegedly drawn up a four-man wishlist that includes Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, though Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino is not thought to be of interest to the Blaugrana due to his age.
Mbappe appears to top the list to replace the South American forward but Barcelona know that they will have to part with a serious amount of cash to bring in the France international – potentially north of £200m.
Verdict
Mbappe seems as though he’d be the perfect fit for Barcelona considering his age and stature in the game. Alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann, the Catalans would certainly have a frontline to be revered should someone like him arrive, though he does largely operate on the right or left of a striker when looking at his positional stats on Transfermarkt.
Still, Kane wouldn’t be a bad alternative and could lead the line in perhaps a more traditional fashion as a number 9 (as Suarez has tended to), flanked by Messi and Griezmann, a role he operates with England alongside the likes of Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling.
Catalans prepared to offer Messi ‘lifelong contract’
Cadena Ser (via the Mirror) report that Barcelona are prepared to offer Lionel Messi a ‘lifelong contract’ at the club, after the Argentine expressed his desire to stay at the Camp Nou beyond his current contract, which expires in 2021.
The proposed deal would reportedly tie Messi to Barcelona for at least 10 years, and see his affiliation with the club – with whom he has played out his whole career with – go beyond the playing side of football.
Speaking to RAC-1, Messi said: “If they want me, I am delighted.
“My idea is to stay here forever. It has always been like this and remains the same way; nothing has changed.”
Verdict
Messi’s comments suggest that he will in fact sign this deal, should the club actually offer it to him. Having represented the Blaugrana over 650 times, it goes without saying what a loyal servant the Argentine has been during his outstanding career in Spain.
From Barcelona’s perspective, keeping a strong affiliation with Messi – even after he hangs up the boots – can only be viewed as a positive.
Barcelona fans, what do you make of all this? Let us know by commenting below!
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