Earlier on Friday, we relayed news from Italy that Tottenham Hotspur are in an ‘advanced negotiation’ with Barcelona to sign Ilaix Moriba.
The midfielder’s contract expires in 2022 and he hasn’t accepted a renewal offer.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Fabio Paratici was the key figure in the talks and Barca have found out about Tottenham’s willingness to meet their €20m asking price.
Ronald Koeman’s side expect Spurs to ‘formalise an offer’ for the 18-year-old in the ‘next few hours’.
Moriba was in London last weekend and has communicated his decision to represent Guinea. Mundo say these two factors ‘would bring him closer’ to Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.
Mundo say the ball is now in the teenager’s court and he must decide his next destination.
Over at Sport, they say Barca are sure Moriba has reached an agreement with Leipzig, which is why he’s rejecting all the options coming his way from England. His agents are in Barcelona, waiting for the club to accept the German side’s offer.
The Blaugrana, however, are not ready to let the player leave if there’s no offer of at least €15m.
Sport mention Spurs, but say they have no intention of paying the fee demanded by the Spanish side. It’s claimed Moriba’s agents are trying to convince Leipzig to raise their offer, hoping that an agreement could be reached with Barca.
The Camp Nou side, however, are ‘not bluffing’ and are ready to sacrifice €8-10m ‘for principles’, so that Moriba’s case can be used an example for other youngsters in the future.
If Tottenham can convince Moriba to join them and make an offer that can please Barca, then a deal could be there to be concluded in the coming days.
