Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Sebastian Giovinco and Marquinhos Rumours

The agent of Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco has reportedly confirmed there is genuine interest in his client from Barcelona.

Andrea D’Amico, the representative for the forward, is said to have told Rai Sport (h/t Sport) there has been contact from the Blaugrana. Sport reported there have been reports swirling in Italy that Barcelona’s international sporting director, Ariedo Braida, has been in direct contact with the former Juventus man.

“D'Amico said that FC Barcelona asked about the striker's situation now that the season has finished with his current side and the people around him indicate that he intends to return to Europe,” claimed Sport. 

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It’s also claimed in the piece that if the European champions miss out on Celta Vigo man Nolito, said to be their first-choice January purchase, they will move for the Italy international, who has been in sensational form since making the switch from Serie A to Major League Soccer.

Here’s a look at Giovinco’s highlight reel since he signed for Toronto—he has dazzled in the North American top flight:

Despite being in possession of three of the finest attackers in world football in Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, beyond that trio, Barcelona do lack depth up front.

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

Arda Turan will help in that sense when he’s allowed into the squad from January, but he is more comfortable in a midfield role than as a forward. Aside from him, Barca have Munir El Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez to call upon. Both are bright young talents, although neither is consistent enough to be relied upon yet.

As we can see here, courtesy of BreatheSport, with Messi currently out injured, it’s forced the goalscoring burden onto Suarez and Neymar:

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Barcelona's last 16 La Liga goals... #Suarez #Neymar pic.twitter.com/FCrIAPaKE9

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) November 8, 2015"

While Messi’s absence has brought the best out of those two, Barcelona could certainly do with another goal threat in advanced areas. Giovinco, with 22 goals in 33 appearances in MLS last season, certainly seems as though he’d be capable of coming in and doing a job at the point of the attack.

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

All the qualities seem to be there. Giovinco is a versatile forward who could operate anywhere along the Barcelona attacking line. At Juventus, the Italian always showcased a lot of potential without ever fully realising it; while MLS isn’t to the same standard as Serie A, with time on the field, Giovinco has proved he could still offer plenty at the highest level.

As WhoScored.com illustrated, it’s not just his goalscoring that has made the former Juve man stand out from the crowd in 2015:

A temporary loan deal could suit all parties, especially Giovinco, as he’ll be keen to prove he can cut it at the top level. Indeed, according to Sport, he wants to show he is ready to play a key role in Italy’s 2016 European Championship tilt by thriving for an elite club.

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Permanently, it’s not something that would necessarily suit the player. As previously mentioned, Giovinco has spent the overwhelming majority of his career on the periphery of teams and, as a 28-year-old, will want to play as much as possible. A wealth of minutes is not something he’d be afforded at the Camp Nou.

Marquinhos Proud of Barcelona Interest

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Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos has revealed he is happy to be linked with clubs such as Barcelona and Chelsea, although he has little interest in leaving the French capital.

“The interest of Barcelona and Chelsea? I am very proud of this interest,” the 21-year-old told Yahoo (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro). “It’s good to know that other clubs are watching me, but I am happy at PSG where I live a very special moment in my career.”

There’s no denying the PSG man is one of the standout young players in the game. The tools are there for him to become one of the finest central defenders anywhere, as we can see here:

Since signing for the French champions in 2013, Marquinhos has found it difficult to nail down a regular place in the starting XI, with David Luiz and Thiago Silva currently the first-choice pairing at the Parc des Princes. For a young player who has so much talent, that’ll be a frustrating status.

Marquinhos is very much a Barcelona-style defender given his dynamism and quality distribution. PSG are unlikely to let such a bright prospect leave the club, though, especially given how happy he is in the French capital, unless it’s for a stratospheric sum of money. Barca are well stocked with centre-backs, making it unlikely they'll test the Parisians' resolve.