Barcelona Transfer News Roundup: Blaugrana suffer Diogo Costa blow; veteran duo likely to stay, and more - October 11, 2024
Barcelona remain determined to wrestle the La Liga title away from Real Madrid. Hansi Flick's team have been in red-hot form this campaign, winning all but one of their nine league games.
Meanwhile, the Blaugrana have suffered a setback in their efforts to secure the services of FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Elsewhere, Robert Lewandowski and Inigo Martinez are expected to stay at Camp Nou beyond this season.
On that note, here's a look at the key Barcelona transfer stories as on October 11, 2024:
Barcelona suffer Diogo Costa blow
Manchester City have entered the race to sign Diogo Costa in 2025, according to SPORT. The Portuguese goalkeeper is being eyed by Barcelona, who want to sign a new goalkeeper next year.
The Blaugrana are looking for a replacement for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who's sidelined with another knee injury that required surgery. The German custodian has injured the same knee on two previous occasions, so the club are now concerned about his fitness.
The La Liga giants have identified Costa as the ideal candidate for the job, but City are plotting to ruin their plans. Barcelona's financial situation makes it very difficult for them to compete with the financial might of the Premier League champions.
City have apparently begun negotiations to sign the Portuguese goalkeeper, who have been zeroed in as Ederson's replacement. The Brazilian's contract at the Etihad expires in 2026, but the club want to cash in on him next summer.
Costa has a €75 million release clause in his contract, but the English side are only willing to pay €40 million for the player. Interestingly, Porto could be willing to accept that offer for the 25-year-old.
Veteran duo likely to stay at Camp Nou
Robert Lewandowski and Inigo Martinez are likely to stay at Barcelona for another season, according to Mundo Deportivo. The veteran duo have been in impeccable form under Hansi Flick this season.
Lewandowski has scored 12 goals in 11 games across competitions and looks like a player reborn. Meanwhile, Martinez has appeared 10 times across competitions, all of which have been starts, and has been a rock at the back.
Both players' contracts expire at the end of the season, but as things stand, their deals could be automatically renewed. Martinez has a clause in his deal that says that he needs to play 60% of the club's games this season to qualify for a one-year extension.
Martinez has already appeared in 90% of the La Liga giants' games this campaign and has been indispensable under Flick. For Lewandoski, the requirement is 55% of games, but the Pole has played every game across competitions so far. Barcelona could propose a renewal to both players at any time this season.
Pau Victor has a €100 million release clause in his contract
Barcelona have included a €100 million release clause in Pau Victor's contract, according to journalist Gabriel Sans. The Spanish forward had initially joined the club in the summer of 2023 from Girona on loan.
Victor was so impressive that the La Liga giants opted to tie him down to a permanent deal this summer. Barcelona reportedly paid €2.5 million for the 22-year-old and wasted no time in including a massive release clause in his deal.
The Spaniard is under contract at the Camp Nou till 2029, and the club are convinced that he will become an important member of the squad. Victor has appeared seven times across competitions this season, registering one goal and an assist.