Calling True or False on 5 Recent Barcelona Transfer Rumours

Barcelona have been mentioned in dispatches as being interested in a number of players available for transfer during the summer.

Despite being subject to a transfer ban imposed by FIFA, the Catalans have not let that stop them registering their interest in certain high-quality exponents.

The loopholes that remain in the legal system may allow Barca to buy a player but not register him until January 2016, loaning him back to his parent club in the meantime.

Let's take a look at five rumours, calling true or false on them...

Hector Bellerin: False

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Hector Bellerin left Barcelona's Masia Academy to join Arsenal.

Hector Bellerin left Barcelona as a 16-year-old to join Arsenal, one of a handful of young Barca starlets that decided England was where they wanted to ply their trade.

It's taken four years for the young right-back to begin to establish himself at first-team level and in truth, he's only been able to do so because of injuries to Mathieu Debuchy.

Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday People suggests that the Catalans are in for one of their old boys. But Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu told Catalan TV station TV3 (h/t Press Association) that the club is looking to bring back Dani Alves on a new contract, so a transfer for Bellerin is unlikely to happen. 

Joao Cancelo: False

Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

Valencia want to sign Joao Cancelo permanently.

Joao Cancelo is a name that perhaps not many Barcelona fans will be familiar with.

The youngster is on loan at Barcelona's Liga rivals Valencia and, according to Sport, Los Che want to make the deal permanent with a €15 million transfer.

However, O'Jogo (via Sport) suggests that Barca have already made their interest in the Benfica player known.

As with the Bellerin rumours, there seems to be little substance to this one other than a name being thrown into the hat should Alves not renew his deal at the club.

Paul Pogba: True

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Barcelona have already been in touch with Juventus about Paul Pogba.

Juventus' Paul Pogba is going to be top of the shopping lists of many clubs this summer.

The powerful ex-Manchester United player has built a fearsome reputation for himself during a number of successful seasons in Italy.

The energetic midfielder is most definitely interesting Barcelona, and per Tuttosport (via Matt Maltby of the Daily Mail), Barca's sporting director, Ariedo Braida, has already confirmed his club are in talks with Juve:

"

We like Pogba, we like him a lot. But that's needless to say. All the big clubs like a champion such as Pogba. 

[Juve general director Giuseppe] Marotta is a friend of mine and we talk about a lot of things. We have also discussed Pogba.

He is still young, but already shows things of the highest level. It would be a hugely important operation for Barcelona, a very interesting one.

"

Clearly, any transfer will be complicated and not cheap, but Barca have shown their hand early.

Eurosport has also quoted Barcelona daily Sport as suggesting there has already been another secret meeting between representatives of both sides and a deal agreed because Pogba has "no interest in joining Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City."

Ander Herrera: False

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Ander Herrera will stay a Manchester United.

Manchester United's Ander Herrera is alleged to be another midfield target for Barcelona.

James Cambridge of the Daily Express quoted the Daily Mirror in his report, suggesting Barca are keen to repatriate the player who joined the Red Devils last summer.

ESPN FC also use the same report to note: "While both players seem happy in England, the chance to join Barcelona is one that few players (if any) pass up—after all. Who could say no to playing alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar?"

Reading the first few words of the quote is enough to dismiss this particular rumour. The player is happy in England. 

Nothing to see here—move along.

Mateo Kovacic: True

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Mateo Kovacic is considering a move to Barcelona.

With one eye on the future, Barcelona need to beef up their midfield with young energetic players like Paul Pogba.

Inter Milan's Mateo Kovacic falls into that category, and according to Tuttomercatoweb (via Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express), Inter's desire to land Yaya Toure from Manchester City will see Kovacic move on.

The youngster has allegedly narrowed down his options to Liverpool and Barcelona. With the greatest of respect to the Reds, there's not a contest to be had.

Barca B's Alen Halilovic, a former team-mate of Kovacic's at Dinamo Zagreb, may well become pivotal in persuading Kovavic to join the Catalans.