Earlier today, we brought you claims made by Catalunya Ràdio about the internal debate at Barcelona over signing Georginio Wijnaldum or Thiago Alcântara.
Ronald Koeman wants his new employer to sign the Liverpool player, while the Barca board are looking to bring the Bayern Munich star back to the club.
Algemeen Dagblad brings the latest development on this case. They state the Reds midfielder and Lyon’s Memphis Depay are both ‘close’ to joining the La Liga side.
It’s claimed the players’ agents spoke extensively with Koeman’s new side, and the economic conditions for the transfers are ‘almost in order’.
The former Newcastle United man refused to discuss his future on Thursday, but AD suggest things were taking shape in the background.
Both have contracts which last until 2021, and therefore, they are available for ‘cheap’ this summer. The report states their transfers fees would be in the region of €10m and €30m.
This would be a massive boost for the Catalan club, who are facing major financial issues.
Wijnaldum and Depay, however, will have to wait to get their moves because Barcelona need to have their ‘affairs in order’.
AD further state, ‘For the time being, due to the licensing regulations of the Spanish Football Association and league organiser La Liga, the club is not allowed to do business in the transfer market.’
‘The current expensive squad, a series of poor transfers and the Covid-19 crisis means the revenues and expenses of the Catalans are severely out of step. Only when Barcelona first sell some of its star players will they be allowed to bring in new players.’
For now, ‘all conditions’ are there for the Liverpool player and his compatriot to reunite with Koeman at Barca are in place.
The wait is now for the European giants to trim their squad, after which they can sign Wijnaldum and Depay.
