Barcelona Transfer News Roundup: Chelsea ace offered to Blaugrana; club face Alvaro Carreras competition, and more - October 13, 2024
Barcelona are the early favourites to win the La Liga title this season, having won eight of their nine games. The Blaugrana have fared well under new manager Hansi Flick and look like the team to beat this year.
Meanwhile, Chelsea full-back Reece James is eager to move to the Camp Nou. Elsewhere, the LaLiga giants won't have a free run at Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras.
On that note, here's a look at the major Barcelona transfer stories as on October 13, 2024:
Reece James offered to Barcelona
Reece James has offered his services to Barcelona, according to Football Transfers. The English right-back is one of the best in the world in his position but has struggled to stay fit recently.
James has missed 129 games for Chelsea due to injuries to date and is eager to bring an end to his fitness issues. His physios have advised the player to move to a warmer climate like Portugal and Spain to address his recurring muscle issues,
The player's camp have sounded out the Blaugrana as well as Benfica about the situation. The Englishman could be a fabulous option for the La Liga giants. His arrival could sort the right-back position for years and allow Jules Kounde to operate in his preferred central role.
However, James' injury woes are likely to be a deal breaker for Barcelona. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old is under contract with the Blues till 2028, so he's likely to cost a fortune as well.
Blaugrana face Alvaro Carreras competition
Barcelona will face competition from Liverpool in the race to sign Alvaro Carreras, according to AS. The Spaniard initially joined Benfica on loan from Manchester United in January this year, before the move was made permanent this summer.
Carreras has been in the thick of things for the Portuguese giants this season, registering nine appearances across competitions. The Blaugrana are pleased with the player's efforts and have scouted him extensively.
However, Carreras is not a priority target for the club, as they have Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martin for the job. Liverpool, meanwhile, are looking for Andy Robertson's successor and have their eyes on 21-year-old. Benfica are likely to demand a hefty fee for the player, who is under contract with them till 2029.
Tijjani Reijnders snub explained by his father
Tijjani Reijnders' father Martin Reijnders has outlined why the player turned down a move to the Camp Nou last year. The Blaugrana had their eyes on the Dutch midfielder in the summer of 2023, when they were looking for Sergio Busquets' replacement.
However, a move failed to materialise, with the club ending up signing Oriol Romeu for the job. Reijnders, meanwhile, went on to sign for AC Milan from AZ Alkmaar.
Speaking recently, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Reijnders senior insisted that he advised his son not to sign for the LaLiga giants.
"I only had direct contact with Barcelona, talking to the technical director, Deco. I even checked his profile picture to make sure it was really him.
"It is clear that we are flattered by Barcelona’s interest. However, they were looking for a replacement for Busquets," said Martin Reijnders.
He continued:
"I told my son that he does not have that profile. He is not that type of player with the characteristics they were looking for. I advised my son to reject Barcelona, there he would have been a substitute and risked failing, as has happened to many others.
"(He) would sooner or later have ended up on the bench, becoming just another player who doesn’t succeed abroad."
Reijnders has appeared nine times across competitions this season for the Rossoneri.