Barcelona transfer news: Griezmann squashes rumours, European heavyweights eye Ter Stegen and more - 9th April 2018
Antoine Griezmann puts an end to transfer rumours for now
The Atletico Madrid forward struggled in the initial parts of the season but has finally found form in recent months. The Frenchman has 18 goals and 8 assists in the La Liga this season and is key to the Spanish capital club's hopes of winning the Europa League.
Now, the 27-year old has put an end to transfer rumours, atleast in the short-term, by revealing to Telefoot:
"I don't know where you get this information, but it is false. I want to be free and think only about the French team."
"I would like my future to be settled before the World Cup, otherwise, afterwards, we will have questions to the right and the left. I will continue as I am now, giving everything to the club."
Thus, Griezmann does state his desire to get his future cleared up before he departs to Russia which should come as a huge positive news to Barcelona. On the other hand, this also implies that the Blaugrana are yet to seal his signature and need to do it before other European clubs come in for him.
Andre Gomes not thinking about next move
The Portuguese has struggled to make the expected impact since joining the Catalan outfit from Valencia in 2016. Recently, the 24-year old opened up on his struggles and explained:
"The first six months were pretty good but then things changed. Maybe it's not the correct word but it turned into a bit of a hell, because I started to feel more pressure. With pressure I feel fine, but with pressure on myself, I don't. The feeling that I have during games is bad.”
The explanantion looked to have lifted him and he went on to put in a good performance against Leganes over the weekend. Now, Gomes was asked regarding his future and expressed confidence in staying at Camp Nou by saying:
"Right now I do not think about that (summer transfer). I am enjoying myself and living the dream that all children want to live.”
Thus, the midfielder is willing to try once more to prove himself at Barcelona, keeping his suitors such as Manchester United at bay for the moment.
Bayern Munich eyeing Marc-Andre ter Stegen
The 25-year old is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in world football and is one of the prime reasons behind Barcelona's success in recent times. Now, the German is wanted by Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich, as a long-term replacement for Manuel Neuer, who has been out of action with a foot injury since September, as per Spanish news outlet, Don Balon.
The report states that Die Roten believe Ter Stegen has all the necessary qualities to succeed for them and also, the shot-stopper will continue the tradition of having a strong German contingent at the club. Hence, the Bavarian giants are willing to pay as much as €100 million for the keeper's services.
However, any deal for Ter Stegen could almost be out of reach as he is very crucial to Blaugrana manager Ernesto Valverde's plans. Further, the player's release clause is believed to be around €180 million, a sum Bayern are unlikely to spend given the way they operate in the transfer market. Nevertheless, the Catalan outfit cannot take the situation for granted, especially after whatever has happened with Neymar last summer.