Barcelona Transfer Rumour: Aleix Vidal could leave Barcelona in a swap deal with Valencia's Joao Cancelo
Barcelona are reportedly open to letting go right-back Aleix Vidal in a swap deal with Valencia right-back Joao Cancelo.
The impressive form of Barcelona's Sergi Roberto in the right-back slot may see the exit of Vidal in the next transfer window.
Barcelona has already raided the Mestalla in the summer, purchasing the likes of Andre Gomes and Paco Alcacer, and are now showing an interest in another Valencia youngster, Joao Cancelo.
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The emergence of Sergio Roberto, as well as Vidal’s poor form, has resulted in the latter barely getting a game for the Catalans.
Roberto, the midfielder converted to right-back by Luis Enrique, has been in phenomenal form.
Vidal, who was supposed to be the first-choice right-back and a replacement for Brazilian, Dani Alves, was purchased from Sevilla in the summer of 2015 for a sum of €18 million.
Emergence of Cancelo
The Portuguese right-back arrived from Benfica in the summer of 2014 and has been impressive. His enthusiasm and ability to make good forward runs, along with solid defensive positioning, pushed Valencia to make his loan deal a permanent one last summer, signing him on a 5-year contract.
Now it looks like the Blaugrana are willing to shell out the money to land this talented youngster.
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According to a report by barcablaugranes, the youngster is valued at €25 million, which the club is unwilling to pay. Instead, they have offered Aleix Vidal plus €15 million, which they feel will suit both parties.
Valencia might hold out for a much larger sum, according to Radio Valencia, as the club themselves bought the player for €15 million.
Full backs integral to Enrique’s side
Given the way Barcelona operates, it is essential to have quality full-backs in the starting line-up. The marauding runs of a full-back often opens up space for attacking talents like Messi, Suarez, Iniesta, and Neymar to exploit.
The departure of Dani Alves has left a huge gap to fill at right-back, which has been ably filled by Sergi Roberto, but Enrique wants a quality replacement. With an eye on the future, the Barcelona manager reportedly believes that the 22-year-old Portuguese player is the right fit.
Barcelona’s left-back, Jordi Alba was also bought from Valencia in the summer of 2012 for a fee of €14 million.
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