Barcelona Transfer News: Federico Bernardeschi, Neymar, Paul Pogba, Top Rumours

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has ended speculation over a possible move for Fiorentina starlet Federico Bernardeschi.  

Speaking with Sky Italia (h/t Sport), Bartomeu revealed the European champions have been keeping a close eye on the development of the 21-year-old, who has played a starring role in an unexpected title challenge for the Viola. But it's interest that is unlikely to end in a transfer.

“He's a great player. We have followed him, like other footballers,” conceded Bartomeu. “He's a Fiorentina player, he has a contract and I'm sure that he will keep doing well there.”

Those sentiments were echoed by sporting director Ariedo Braida, per Sport: “He's a good player and a boy with talent, but we have enough players that play the same role as him on the pitch. No, he is not a player that interests us.”

Bernardeschi has excelled in a variety of different roles for Fiorentina in 2015-16, showcasing a remarkable amount of versatility for a player who is still very young. So far this term, he’s featured on the left and right of midfield, at left-back and as an advanced wide forward, too.

Here’s a look at some of his standout moments from the campaign to date:

For Barcelona, he’d potentially be a fine addition. Bernardeschi is capable fulfilling various duties, but he’s also a brilliant technician who can thread passes into tight spaces and dribble past opponents with his supreme close control. 

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The youngster showcased his class during a pre-season win over Barcelona, netting two goals in a 2-1 win, and it’s clear from the previous comments the European champions have been keeping close tabs on him. However, at this juncture, it’s a move that would be too much too soon for the exciting Italian.

In other news, Joaquim Piera of Sport reported the Blaugrana are ready to open talks with Neymar over a possible new deal next month: “Neymar wants to stay at FC Barcelona. His father will do everything possible to suit his son's desires.”

Piera claims there have been “informal negotiations” about an extension over the past few weeks, and efforts will now be stepped up to get Neymar to commit to the club before the end of the season.

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As we can see here, courtesy of OptaJose, Neymar has been part of a Barcelona front three that has been in sensational form in 2015:

Despite some speculation about a transfer away from the Camp Nou, with Manchester United’s summer interest confirmed by the player himself earlier in the campaign, per ESPN Brazil (h/t Sky Sports), there doesn't seem to have ever been much danger that Neymar would leave Barcelona in the near future.

During this campaign, the Brazilian has shown he can take on a talismanic role for the Blaugrana, and when the day does come for Lionel Messi to eventually step aside at the Camp Nou, Neymar is as capable of filling that void as any player in world football.

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However, speaking with Sky (h/t Calciomercato), Bartomeu revealed Messi will be at the club for a long time yet, despite Inter Milan president Erick Thohir recently suggesting, per the club's official Twitter account, the Serie A side may make a move for the Argentina skipper:

"

Messi has a contract with Barcelona and he’s happy to be here. He’s spent most of his life here, he still has three years on his contract and our goal is to have him ending his career as a player here.

He’s a dream that won’t come true for Inter. He will stop to play for us when he will decide to stop playing football. He is the best player in the world, maybe the best of football history. He has given a lot to Barcelona. He plays for Barca together with other champions.

"

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Bartomeu was also asked on Sky Italia about Barcelona’s potential pursuit of Juventus’ Paul Pogba. “All the big clubs are following Pogba because he's a top [drawer] footballer, but I'm a friend of [Juventus president Andrea] Agnelli and I respect Juventus,” he admitted, per Sport. “It's difficult to talk about their players.”

Pogba would certainly give Barcelona some presence in the middle of the park, and his ability to carry the ball through phases of play would turn Luis Enrique’s side into an even more formidable outfit.

As we can see here, courtesy of WhoScored.com, defensively, there is plenty Pogba can offer, too:

However, as we move into 2016, you suspect the main order of business for Bartomeu and the Barcelona board will be to ensure Neymar is tied down to a new deal.

The Brazilian has made sensational progress over the past couple of seasons, and if he continues his rapid ascension, he could finish next year as the finest player on the planet.

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Pogba is a player who will also be hopeful of scaling those kinds of heights, and it’d be little surprise to see Barcelona make a move for him this summer.

However, should the Bianconeri decide the time is right to cash in on their prized asset, there will be a lengthy queue of teams seeking to get the Frenchman on board.