Barcelona Transfer News Roundup: Catalans eyeing Arsenal ace, club plan Gerard Martin renewal, and more - October 4, 2024
Barcelona next face Alaves in La Liga on Sunday, October 6 at the Mendizorroza. Hansi Flick's team will be eager to get back to winning ways in the league after the defeat at the hands of Osasuna last weekend.
Meanwhile, the Catalans are eyeing a move for a Ghanaian midfielder who plays for Arsenal. Elsewhere, the Spanish giants are ready to extend Gerard Martin's stay at Camp Nou.
On that note, let's look at the major Barcelona transfer stories from October 4, 2024.
Barcelona eyeing Thomas Partey
Barcelona remain interested in Thomas Partey, according to Todo Fichajes. The Ghanaian midfielder has entered the final year of his contract with Arsenal and is likely to leave in 2025.
Partey has blown hot and cold at the Emirates since arriving at the club from Atletico Madrid in 2020. The 31-year-old has appeared 123 times across competitions for the Gunners to date and missed 34 games for club and country last season due to injury.
However, the Catalans believe he could be a nice fit at Camp Nou. The La Liga giants are looking at cost-effective options to bolster their midfield given their poor financial situation.
Barcelona are excited by the possibility of signing Partey in a Bosman move next summer. However, they will face competition for the Ghanaian from clubs across the continent, including Juventus and Inter Milan. A return to the Civitas Metropolitan Stadium cannot be ruled out either.
Catalans plan Gerard Martin renewal
Barcelona are working to tie Gerard Martin down to a new deal, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Spanish left-back has entered the final year of his contract with the Catalans and is yet to sign a new deal.
Martin has been in and out of the first team this season under Hansi Flick. He has registered eight appearances across competitions for the La Liga giants, including three starts, and also has one assist to his name.
While he is not the finished material yet, the German manager is pleased with his efforts and wants him to stay. Barcelona have already initiated contact with the player's representatives to discuss a new deal.
Lamine Yamal better than Vinicius Junior, says Marcos Senna
Spanish football legend Marcos Senna has chosen Lamine Yamal ahead of Vinicius Junior. The 17-year-old is the new darling of the Camp Nou faithful, following an explosive debut campaign with Barcelona.
Yamal registered seven goals and nine assists from 50 games across competitions last season for the Catalans. He was also instrumental in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph over the summer.
The player has already generated comparisons with Lionel Messi because of his style of play. Yamal has continued his golden streak this season under Hansi Flick, registering five goals and five assists from ten games across competitions.
Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior has also been in red-hot form for Real Madrid in recent seasons. The Brazilian is the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or this year after helping Los Blancos win the league and the Champions League last campaign.
However, speaking recently, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, Senna insisted that Yamal is better than Vinicius in one-on-one situations.
“They are both great players, but I like Lamine much more. The reason is that he has pace. When I was asked before who I preferred, Messi or Cristiano, I always preferred Messi because of that, because of the pace. He had more presence in the game. More diversity in passing… other things,” said Senna.
He continued:
"Vinicius sometimes makes passes that are brutal. The other day he gave one to Rodrygo with Espanyol that looked like Modric had given it. But Lamine hits it much better and in one-on-ones, he catches the eye more. If he already had Vinicius ‘ speed he would be the perfect dribbler.”
Yamal has registered 2.9 dribbles per game this season in La Liga, while Vinicius has recorded 2.3 dribbles per game.