Barcelona transfer news: Mbappe desired to play alongside Messi, Tottenham and Manchester United stars wanted and more - 19th October 2017
Mbappe wanted to move to Barcelona last summer
The 18-year old was the most-wanted youngster across Europe last summer and in the end, Paris Saint-Germain prised him away from domestic rivals AS Monaco. While there was interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City, Mbappe wanted to actually join Barcelona, as per Spanish talk show Cadena Cope.
Football agent Josep Maria Minguella, who has worked with Barcelona before, told in the show how Mbappe desired to play with Lionel Messi. He said:
“Mbappe said that he only wanted to sign for Barcelona when he found out that Neymar was going to PSG. Barca had Mbappe for €120m plus €30m [in add-ons].
"I spoke with his father and he only wanted to come to Barca, that he would love to play with Messi. He did not want to go to Real Madrid (because) the BBC are (there)."
This definitely represents a great chance missed for Barcelona as the Frenchman recently became the highest-scoring teenager in Champions League history.
Barcelona want both Kane and Martial
In what would be a stunning display of ambition in the transfer market, the Catalan club want Tottenham's superstar Kane along with Manchester United's wide forward Anthony Martial, as per Mundo Deportivo.
Ever since the departure of Neymar in the summer, Barcelona signed only Ousmane Dembele. However, the Spanish club is looking to bolster its attack much more in the coming year, especially with star forward Luis Suarez on the wrong side of 30.
As per the report, Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez was present at the Bernabeu to watch Kane put on a show against Real Madrid. He followed it up by travelling to Benfica to watch Martial. Both the signings would represent great value for Barcelona, should they get it over the line.
Real Madrid want Barcelona's Jose Arnaiz
Diario Gol reports that Zinedine Zidane wants Barcelona B's 22-year old winger. The Spaniard made 41 appearances for Real Valladolid between 2015 and 2017 before joining Ernesto Valverde's B team in the summer.
Arnaiz had a good start to his Barcelona B career with four goals in eight appearances and Madrid want to bring the versatile winger to the Bernabeu.
The report states that Madrid believe to have an advantage as the player's agent is none other than the club captain Sergio Ramos' brother. Direct deals between Barcelona and Madrid are difficult to complete and it remains to be seen whether Arnaiz joins Real Madrid.