Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Marc Bartra and Gerard Deulofeu Rumours

Barcelona's Marc Bartra recently revealed his release clause has been lowered to just €12 million as a result of the limited minutes he played last season, and according to Sport (h/t Inside Spanish Football's Tom Conn), Bayern Munich and Manchester City plan on taking advantage this summer.

As shared by Barcastuff, the Blaugrana refute Bartra's claim, stating his release clause has not changed:

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Bartra camp says buyout fee dropped to 12M (less than 60% games in 14/15), Barcelona says it's still 25M (50+ games last 2 seasons). [l'esp]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) June 14, 2015"

Bartra told reporters about his new release clause after the Spain national team's recent friendly against Costa Rica, per Conn, and he refused to rule out a move: “Release clause lowered? Yes, it’s been lowered to €12 million. We’ll wait and see what happens.”

The 24-year-old was handed a spot in the starting XI by Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, a welcome surprise after he hardly featured for his club in 2014-15. Javier Mascherano remains manager Luis Enrique's preferred partner for Gerard Pique, who enjoyed a tremendous bounce-back season.

Bartra was once regarded as the future of Barcelona defence and a possible heir to Carles Puyol, but after a promising start with the senior team, his career has reach an impasse.

He played his finest football under now-Bayern manager Pep Guardiola, which explains why the latter would be keen to bring him to Germany. And with the Bavarians needing some fresh blood along the back line, a move almost makes too much sense.

Football blogger and Barcelona fan Rafael Hernandez fears the centre-back may already have one foot out the door, and he blames the club: for that situation

Bartra was born and raised in Catalonia, and after a brief spell with Espanyol, he joined Barcelona's famed Masia academy at the tender age of 11. His roots at the club clearly run deep, so it's too soon to make any definitive statements on his future.

But with Pique and Mascherano blocking his path to the starting XI, a transfer may be in his best interest. Bartra's development has stalled, but a lack of consistent playing time can at least be partially blamed for that. The Spain international needs to play or he'll risk becoming an afterthought in the near future.

With Bayern, he'll have a fair chance to win a starting role, and he'll get to work with the manager who showed so much faith in him back when he graduated from La Masia. It would be the perfect scenario for Bartra.

Things are a little different for Barcelona, however. A fee of €12 million isn't necessarily a bad return for Bartra, but because of the club's transfer ban, the Catalans would be unable to sign a replacement who could join the squad immediately.

Banking on Thomas Vermaelen to stay healthy long enough to provide adequate cover for Pique, Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu is risky, but the club has no leverage if Bartra's release clause is indeed so low.

Everton to Move for Gerard Deulofeu?

Miguel Angel Morenatti/Associated Press

Speaking of Masia graduates set to leave the club, the Daily Mail's Joe Bernstein reports that Everton are close to completing a move for winger Gerard Deulofeu, who could cost the Toffees as little as £3 million.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan with Sevilla but impressed for Everton in the previous campaign, and the Premier League club is keen on bringing him back to Merseyside.

According to RAC1 (h/t Barcastuff), the Catalans plan to insert a buy-back clause into any potential deal with Everton, giving the Blaugrana some form of control over his future:

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Gerard Deulofeu (21), back from loan, is considering to leave this summer. Buy-back option to be included. EPL likely destination. [rac1]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) June 8, 2015"

Deulofeu was once regarded as one of the top talents in Barcelona's youth academy, but like Bartra, a lack of consistent playing time slowed his development. The Blaugrana made the decision to loan him out after a couple of seasons with Barcelona B, and though he impressed with Everton, his season with Sevilla saw the youngster come crashing back down to earth.

The Spain international is still very young and will have the chance to prove he was worth all the hype he received when he first made an appearance in the famed Barcelona shirt. As shared by the Liverpool Echo's Kristian Walsh, Everton fans are more than a little excited about the prospective return of Deulofeu:

With Neymar, Lionel Messi and Pedro receiving the bulk of the minutes out wide for Barcelona, Deulofeu was never going to feature heavily for the club next season. Munir El Haddadi will also be expected to take the leap to stardom and join that group, leaving no room for the likes of Deulofeu.

A move away from the club always seemed likely, and despite his obvious potential, it's clear Deulofeu will probably never be a regular starter for the Catalans.

Perhaps he can continue his development with Everton, in which case the proposed buy-back clause would be fantastic news for Barcelona, but in all likelihood, Deulofeu's days with the Blaugrana are over for good.

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