Barcelona Transfer News Roundup: Blaugrana unlikely to sign Luis Diaz; club eyeing Alexander Isak, and more - April 22, 2024
Barcelona succumbed to a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, April 21, in La Liga. Goals from Andreas Christensen and Fermin Lopez weren't enough for Xavi's team to earn three points as Jude Bellingham scored a stoppage-time winner.
Meanwhile, the Blaugrana are unlikely to complete a move for Liverpool attacker Luis Diaz this summer. Elsewhere, the Spanish champions are interested in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.
On that note, here's a look at the key Barcelona transfer stories as on April 22, 2024:
Barcelona unlikely to sign Luis Diaz, says Fabrizio Romano
Barcelona are unlikely to complete a move for Luis Diaz this summer, according to acclaimed transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The Colombian forward has been outstanding for Liverpool recently and has reportedly turned heads at the Camp Nou. Recent reports have suggested that the player is open to joining the Blaugrana at the end of this season, but Romano has refuted those claims.
In his column for Caught Offside, the transfer guru added that the La Liga champions don't have the finances to afford a move for the 27-year-old.
“Staying with Barcelona for a moment, we’ve also had fresh rumours about Luis Diaz reportedly wanting to join from Liverpool.
"This is not what I’m hearing, though – Diaz is crucial player for Liverpool and also, for Barca to pay for a player like Diaz with their Financial Fair Play situation…I think that could be quite difficult,” wrote Romano
Diaz has appeared 46 times across competition for the Reds this season, registering 13 goals and four assists.
Blaugrana eyeing Alexander Isak
Barcelona have identified Alexander Isak as a possible replacement for Robert Lewandowski, according to The Sun.
The Swedish striker has been on a roll for Newcastle United this season, scoring 21 goals and setting up one assist in 34 outings. His efforts have earned him admirers at multiple clubs across the continent, and the Blaugrana have joined the party.
Lewandowski has shown signs of regression this season, but he has still managed 20 goals and nine assists in 43 games. The 35-year-old is in the final phase of his career, and the club are laying down succession plans for his eventual departure.
Isak has been identified as an option, and the La Liga giants have been monitoring him since Christmas. The Magpies could be forced to offload the 24-year-old to address their books, but he's likely to cost around £90 million, which could pose a problem for Barcelona, considering their financial issues.
Lamine Yamal unlikely to become next Lionel Messi, says Fabio Capello
Lamine Yamal is unlikely to live up to comparisons with Lionel Messi, according to former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello.
The Spanish youngster broke into Barcelona's starting XI this summer and has been a revelation. He was outstanding against Los Blancos on Sunday as well,and h d a goal controversially disallowed. The 16-year-old's efforts have seen him being labelled as the next Lionel Messi.
However, speaking recently as cited by Barca Universal, Capello said that Yamal isn't a genius like the diminutive Argentinean.
"I saw Messi at the Gamper, and 20-25 minutes into the game, I approached Rijkaard and asked him to lend him to me that season. He was a genius. Lamine has a lot of quality and is very interesting, but he won’t be a genius,” said Capello.
Capello also put Lionel Messi ahead of his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is a class apart.
"Messi, Pele and Maradona were the geniuses. Ronaldo is very close. Cristiano is a great player, a great goalscorer, he won titles and Ballon d’Or, but he is not a genius like Messi. He is a great footballer, but he is not a genius,” said Capello.
The Argentinean left the Blaugrana to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 before moving to Inter Miami last summer.