Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Pedro, Paul Pogba, Munir El Haddadi and More
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has been speaking to the media for the first time in the 2015-16 season and the Blaugrana boss had plenty to say about transfer speculation that has currently engulfed the Camp Nou.
The first order of the day for Enrique was to address questions about winger Pedro. According to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, Chelsea are set to offer £20 million for the Spanish international and the player himself has admitted he has received some “serious offers” to leave the club.
Enrique told the press conference that he will respect the decision made by the winger, per AS English:
Pedro has struggled for game time at Barcelona ever since the arrival of Luis Suarez in the summer of 2014. The capture of Arda Turan makes it even less likely the 27-year-old will get sufficient minutes and with the champions of England interested in signing him, it’s easy to see why the prospect of a move might appeal to him.
As we can see here courtesy of OptaJose, Pedro is currently well down the pecking order at the Camp Nou:
If the winger was to leave it would see Barca a little short of attacking options should one of Lionel Messi, Neymar or Luis Suarez pick up an injury or suspension. But a player of Pedro’s talent should be out on the pitch, not sat on the bench.
Naturally, Enrique would want the World Cup winner in situ as he’s a versatile forward capable of fulfilling many roles. Pedro has been a wonderful servant and a tremendous player for Barcelona, though, and as the manager noted himself, you would imagine the club will respect his wishes should he express a firm desire to leave.
One player who Enrique wasn’t too keen on talking about was Juventus’ Paul Pogba, per AS English:
Barcelona have long been linked with a move for the French sensation and as noted here by Simon Jones of the Mail Online, presidential candidate Joan Laporta has apparently made the Frenchman his marquee target should he be elected.
Although, as noted here by Rafael Hernandez, the Spanish press don’t really seem too sure what the situation is with the Juventus man at the moment:
Pogba would be a tremendous acquisition for Enrique’s Barcelona. He may not be an archetypal Blaugrana player, but he has blossomed into a midfield machine in Turin, capable of dictating matches with power, poise and panache.
However, former Barcelona manager Johan Cruyff has stated that he doesn’t think the club should be spending big on the Frenchman.
“Barca were producing a major brand of player such as Xavi, Messi and Iniesta, who did not cost the club anything, and that is being lost,” said the Dutchman to Cadena Cope (h/t AS). “The figures seem to be absurd. €80 million for Pogba is absurd"
But in a Barcelona team that plays a little more direct and takes a few more risks than they typically have done in recent seasons, Pogba would be a perfect midfield catalyst. However, while the presidential elections are in full flow, it’s unlikely a clear picture will be painted on whether or not Barca will be signing this extraordinary young player.
Indeed, Barca may have to rely on some of the academy talents before they can officially register new acquisitions in January. Enrique also gave an update on a couple of those players, including Munir El Haddadi, who has been linked with a move away from the Camp Nou, per SPORT English:
Not having Denis Suarez in the squad represents a blow for Barcelona. The young midfielder had agreed to join Sevilla on loan for two seasons last summer, but the Catalan side were hopeful of recalling him for the start of the upcoming term. But as noted by Jordi Gil of SPORT, FIFA have stepped in to end any chances of that occurring.
It’s encouraging Munir is in situ for pre-season however. Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell expects the youngster to play a significant role in 2015-16:
As noted by Marca (h/t Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express) both Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with a move for the versatile forward. But if Pedro does leave the club prior to the start of the La Liga season, Munir could find himself playing the role of deputy to Barca’s sensational attacking trio.
A spell on loan in January may enrich the youngster’s development, but up until then, he may find himself playing an important role in the squad as Barcelona look to lay the foundations for another trophy-laden campaign.
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