Barcelona still working on three more signings
With Barcelona about to take off in a new direction, the Azulgrana continue to work towards finalising the squad. The club are not giving up on their desire to incorporate the three players remaining who would complete the famous "deep renovation" which Josep Maria Bartomeu promised.
After the arrivals of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Claudio Bravo, Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez, plus the returns of Gerard Deulofeu and Rafinha, the defence is the final part of the 2014-15 puzzle left outstanding.
Three signings, three names: Marquinhos, Jeremy Mathieu and Juan Cuadrado are the three folders Bartomeu and Andoni Zubizarreta have open.
Barca's long-standing need for a central defender continues with further delays, although moves for Marquinhos and Mathieu are underway. In both cases, there is an agreement between the player and the Catalan club, but the obstacle remains their current owners.
PSG, VALENCIA AND FIORENTINA PLAYING TOUGH
Paris Saint-Germain want to sell Marquinhos for a price of around €40million. Barca continue to apply pressure in a bid to reduce the price of the player who, with the presence of Thiago Silva and David Luiz, will not be a starter in Laurent Blanc's side.
Roma received €32million from the French champions for the Brazilian defender last summer, so, for that reason, PSG are looking to make a profit on the 20-year-old.
The case of Mathieu is similar. The French player has given his blessing to a move to Camp Nou, but Valencia continue to demand that Barca pay the player's €20million release clause. Mathieu continues to count down the hours until he can leave the Che and has voiced his unhappiness to those in charge of the club.
Finally, Cuadrado remains the chosen one for Barca's right side. The versatile Colombian has seduced the Catalans and they are hopeful they can complete his signing from Fiorentina.
The Italian side, who purchased the remainder of Cuadrado's rights from Udinese this summer, know that they own one of the most sought after players in Europe and insist on an amount close to €50million for their 26-year-old.
Cuadrado loves to attack and has the ability to occupy the whole of the right flank. And even though he hasn't played as a right-back in Italy, Barca believe he would be good in this position and would replace Dani Alves, should he leave the club during the current transfer market.
Fiorentina already have an offer on the table from Barca, while the player is working on making sure the Serie A club don't let him miss out on this opportunity.
