Barcelona's path clear in move for Valencia midfielder Andre Gomes
Andre Gomes arrived at Valencia in the month of July, 2014, from Benfica, who agreed to loan him to the Spanish club a couple of days before he turned 21.
During his presentation, he argued that Mestalla "is the ideal place for a young player to grow." And that's what he's dedicated himself to during these last two years. So much so, that after his first season with Los Che, the La Liga side signed him outright. Now he feels it's time to take another step forward in his career after becoming a starter in the Portugal side which have reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016. In just a few weeks he will turn 23 (July 30).
His perception coincides with the movements being made in the transfer market, which European football is currently immersed in. There are various clubs - the majority elite - being linked with the midfielder.
One of those clubs is Barça, who have have placed themselves in a good position to try and sign him. The operation is still in the early stages, although a move for Andre Gomes is much clearer now than it was a couple of weeks ago. The reason for that is one of the clubs who could have created the most problems for the Blaugrana have ruled out signing him.
'NO' FROM JOSE
The arrival of Jose Mourinho on the Manchester United bench has given the Portuguese coach complete control over the Premier League side's squad for next season.
He's wasted little time getting to work, either. The club announced on Saturday the signing of attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who arrives for 42 million euros from Borussia Dortmund.
It's a move which closes the Old Trafford door on Andre Gomes, whose signing has been ruled out by Mourinho. The former Real Madrid boss has other plans to strengthen the midfield and won't move for James Rodriguez, either, as had been talked about.
Mourinho will put everything into landing one of the most in demand players on the market: French midfielder Paul Pogba. The Juventus player is unreachable for Barça - and many other European clubs - on a financial level.
Juve, who have already signed Miralem Pjanic from Roma, are one of the clubs who could fight with Barça for the acquisition of Andre Gomes. It would be a much more balanced fight, although Valencia have set the starting price very high.
EXPENSIVE OPERATION
Los Che's board are aware it will be difficult to hold on to Andre Gomes and the best they can do is bring in as much cash as possible to justify his goodbye.
The figure, in this sense, which is marked by the Portugal international's release clause, would be between 50 and 85 million euros, according to sources. In addition, Valencia have little room to negotiate because when they paid 15 million euros to Benfica, they agreed to give the Portuguese club 25 per cent of any profit they made in the future on that 15 million euros. If a club pays 40 million euros, Benfica would get 25 per cent of 25 million euros.
But Barça don't want to pay 40 million euros, which they consider is excessive. And that's where the friendship between Robert Fernandez and Garcia Pitarch - the two clubs' sporting directors - could be key. The Blaugrana would be prepared to negotiate with Valencia in the form of players. The names on the table are Cristian Tello, Alen Halilovic and even Sergi Samper.
