Barcelona transfer news: Luiz wants move, Mascherano could join Liverpool and more - 10th October 2017
David Luiz wants Barcelona move
The Brazilian re-joined Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016 and played a key role in the Blues' Premier League win last season. However, a recent falling-out between the player and manager Antonio Conte led to Luiz not even making the bench in Chelsea's high-profile clash with Jose Mourinho's Manchester United.
Conte praised Andreas Christensen, who played in Luiz's place, and remarked that every player needs to earn their place in the side. Now, Spanish publication Diario Gol have reported that Luiz is irked after being dropped and does not want to warm the benches.
The newspaper claims that Luiz wants to join Barcelona, recognizing the fact that the Spanish club are looking for defensive reinforcements in January. Former Arsenal defender, Thomas Vermaelen is set to leave while Javier Mascherano is also expected to be moved on.
This leaves Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti as the two recognized central defenders and Luiz has sensed an opportunity for a move. The 30-year-old is excellent with the ball at his feet and can score off set-pieces, including direct free-kicks and suits Barcelona's style of play.
The chances of a move are high, with sources close to the player saying:
“It’s better to be in Barcelona than to be a substitute in London.”
While Luiz is definitely prone to the odd error, his quality and experience could prove a great asset to Ernesto Valverde's defence.
Messi fears compatriot Mascherano could leave Barcelona
It has been one-way traffic when it comes to transfers between Barcelona and Liverpool in recent years. The Luis Suarez saga and now Philippe Coutinho's saga only affirm that fact. However, in an unexpected twist, a transfer in the other direction could be on the cards, one that could hurt Lionel Messi.
Former Liverpool destroyer Javier Mascherano is wanted back at Anfield, as per Diario Gol. If the move goes through, this will be another personal blow for Messi after Neymar's departure in the summer. Both players share a bond from their time with the Argentina national team and have played together at Barcelona since 2010.
As per the report, Messi has three good friends at the club in Luis Suarez, Pique and Mascherano. While Mascherano is looking to head to Major League Soccer (MLS), the offer from Liverpool could be particularly tempting. The 33-year-old had a good time at Liverpool and could prove to be the defensive midfielder Jurgen Klopp is desperately looking for. Further, Barcelona could use the player as a sweetener in the Coutinho deal.
Leon Goretzka is not England-bound, despite statements
The Schalke midfielder is nearing the end of his contract and has refused to sign a new one as he looks for a fresh challenge. As a result, every top team across Europe wants to sign the 22-year-old midfielder who pulls the strings for both his club and country, Germany.
Mundo Deportivo recently reported that Goretzka has a deal in place with Barcelona to join in the summer. However, Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff looked to have set the cat amongst the pigeons when he said, as per the Metro:
"We feel that England, because of the amount of money you have with TV rights, young talented players like Leroy Sané and [Schalke's] Leon Goretzka are moving to England and this is not good for our league but also for the quality of our game. We have to pay attention and invest again and again in the education of our coaches."
Nevertheless, the Blaugrana can breathe easy with Raphael Honigstein, a German football expert, clarifying the statement.
It seems like Bierhoff was talking about a hypothetical move and Goretzka could still end up at Camp Nou in the summer.