Barcelona transfer news: Nike confirm Coutinho move, Surprise move for Chelsea star and more - 1st January 2018
Nike appears to confirm move for Liverpool no.10
Philippe Coutinho has been the top transfer target for Barcelona since the summer. Liverpool had stayed firm and rejected three bids from the Catalans, however, the La Liga leaders have remained dogged in their pursuit of the Brazilian wizard.
While another bid is expected in this month's transfer window, Barcelona's kit manufacturer; Nike made an announcement which all but confirms the deal. They released a statement for the Barcelona shop stating:
“Where the magic happens”.
“Philippe Coutinho is ready to light up Camp Nou. Get your 2017/18 FC Barcelona kit with the Magician’s name on it. Act fast – free personalisation only available until January 6.”
Expectedly, Nike has taken down the post but the rumours that the Liverpool no.10 is set to depart in the coming days has only gained more traction.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit, Paul Merson has opined that the player is more likely to leave in the summer than January. He told the Daily Star:
“Liverpool spending £75m on Virgil van Dijk means Philippe Coutinho is going to Barcelona. They will wait until the summer but he will go. He’s done enough this season for Barca to come back in for him, and he clearly wants to leave."
"I think it was a case of them saying to him, ‘Give us one more year and then you can go’. At the start of the season I said Liverpool needed Van Dijk more than they needed Coutinho and getting him would make them title contenders. But things have changed. Liverpool need Van Dijk. But they need more than that now. City have been so good the bar has been raised for everyone.”
Be it in January or in the summer, the Blaugrana look set to finally get their top target.
Valverde wants Andreas Christensen and not David Luiz
Barcelona is looking to add a top defender in the near future, preferably in this transfer window due to their lack of defensive cover at the moment. While Chelsea star David Luiz has been linked with a move in recent weeks, especially after his bust-up with Antonio Conte, it now appears that the Spanish giants are eyeing the player who took his spot in the side, Andreas Christensen, as per the Sunday Mirror.
The 21-year old is seen by Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde as a long-term prospect at the club to partner Samuel Umtiti and consequently, the Dane is being monitored since the past six weeks, as per the report. Christensen has been in sensational form for the Blues and has been likened to John Terry by former Chelsea defender, Eddie Newton, who said:
“Andreas is a player that we can definitely have here for the next 10 years. He is another John Terry for me, and has that same kind of stature because he has got that ability."
While only time will tell whether Christensen can emulate the Chelsea legend, the London side will have a fight on their hands if Barcelona decides to move for the young centre-back.
Celta Vigo want Rafinha on loan in January
The Brazilian came back from injury after nine months recently and finds himself on the fringes of Valverde's squad. While the 24-year old was a key squad member during Luis Enrique's tenure, it does not appear to be the case now.
Now, sport-english.com has reported that Celta Vigo (where he was once on loan to) are interested in once again taking him on a temporary basis.
A return to Celta will offer the midfielder an excellent opportunity to rediscover his form under a familiar face in Juan Carlos Unzue, who was Enrique's assistant at Celta and Barcelona.
Furthermore, the expected arrivals in January and the summer imply Rafinha will be surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.
Thus, the Brazilian will likely be offloaded to make room which makes the loan move to Celta even more appealing.
Meanwhile, Barcelona is expected to insert a clause to make the loan deal permanent in the summer, as per the report. Thus, this deal could prove to be a winning situation for all parties.