:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/KBBRRGHZJRAJFLEQP7QQIDZRVI.jpg)
FC Barcelona is going through a good moment in LaLiga Santander, in which they are in first place with 68 points, 12 points ahead of their biggest rival, Real Madrid. However, the team's coach, Xavi Hernández, believes that there are still positions to reinforce, which is why he is analyzing the best options. One of the requests from the blaugrana coach is the midfield, with Zubimendi being his favorite, although his price tag of 60 million euros makes the operation difficult to carry out.
But in the offices of the culé team, they are looking to please their coach, so they have started analyzing other options, one of which stands out: Ilkay Gündogan. The German midfielder's contract with Manchester City ends in June and he could come at no cost. However, according to 'Jijantes', the Spanish club wants to impose a clause on him, which is not to the player's liking.
The mentioned source indicates that this clause is related to the financial fair play that is pressuring the Catalan institution. As the Barça is having problems registering players in LaLiga Santander, they are looking to cover their backs. Therefore, if they cannot register him, the German player would be loaned to another team while still receiving the same salary.
It is worth mentioning that this formula was also presented to Iñigo Martínez, another target of FC Barcelona. The current player of Athletic Club would have accepted, but the German is still considering it. However, the blaugrana team hopes not to reach these extremes and trusts that they can reduce their salary mass enough to register players next summer.
Vitor Roque moves away from FC Barcelona
Young Brazilian players are of great interest in the transfer market every season, and Barcelona is keeping an eye on what may happen with Vitor Roque, a 17-year-old player who plays for Athletico Paranaense. However, the delay in his management to acquire him has aroused the interest of Premier League teams that have a better economic position and have no problem accelerating this operation: Chelsea and Arsenal.
The FIFA window has allowed some breathing space for clubs and the Premier League teams have accelerated their interest in the center-forward, who is already a sensation in South America. They also want to position themselves to sign him in the summer transfer market. The young player has already had the opportunity to debut with the senior national team and it is likely that he will leave the club in the middle of the year.
The player's father and agent is already in England to hold talks with Chelsea and Arsenal. However, the 'Gunners' are better positioned to sign him due to the presence of Edu Gaspar as the club's sporting director and his past experience in Brazil in the same position.
Receive our newsletter: we will send you the best sports content, as Depor always does.