All the truth regarding the Paco Alcacer signing
There are seven days left before the 2016/17 summer transfer market closes.
FC Barcelona have not officially concluded their squad. Along with the incorporation of goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to replace Claudio Bravo (who is joining Pep Guardiola's Manchester City), they also have the signing of the fourth forward pending, an addition that Luis Enrique has requested.
Paco Alcacer is the chosen player. We reveal the seven keys of the deal:
1. TOTAL AGREEMENT FC BARCELONA - VALENCIA
FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Valencia owner Peter Lim. The transfer has been set at 30 million euros, plus five million in bonuses. The deal could include the loan, with an option to buy, of Munir and/or Sergi Samper.
2. TOTAL AGREEMENT FC BARCELONA - PACO ALCACER
Paco Alcacer is very happy to come to FC Barcelona and is prepared to assume the challenge of being the fourth forward. At 22-years-old, Alcacer knows that he has a big future ahead of him and that he will get opportunities at Barça to show his quality. He is not scared of competing with the 'MSN'. The financial agreement with the Blaugrana has been finalised.
3. VALENCIA CIVIL WAR
Valencia are divided into two factions: the tehnical secretary department and the presidency. Jesus Garcia Pitarch, the sporting director of 'Los Che', is irritated by the transfer of Andre Gomes to FC Barcelona, for which he did not give his consent. Now he is trying to foil the sale of Paco Alcacer, and is using the manager Pako Ayestaran, who has publicly voiced his disagreement with the idea of Alcacer leaving.
4. VALENCIA'S PROBLEMS WITH FINANCIAL FAIR-PLAY
Valencia do not want to sell Paco Alcacer until they can register Nani. They can not include Nani until they sell several players (such as Abdennour, Aderlan Santos and Diego Alves) to meet FIFA's financial fair-play criteria.
5. BARÇA WILL WAIT UNTIL AUGUST 31
FC Barcelona are not in a rush to fully complete the deal. They are prepared to wait until 23:59 of August 31, the last minute of the market. The negotiations are complete and Barça sources state "everything can be concluded in less than 30 minutes).
6. IF ALCACER DOES NOT COME, THERE IS NO PLAN B
The fourth forward is Paco Alcacer. If the Valencia forward doesn't arrive, there is no second option. Barça are not considering another name. Luis Enrique would have to use Munir as the replacement for Leo Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, and also Arda Turan who has worked in the advanced role at the start of this season.
7. AWAITING THE CALL FROM VALENCIA
With everything verbally agreed, FC Barcelona await the call from Valencia to close the signing. Everything now is in the hands of the internal decision from the Mestalla club.
