Barcelona Transfer News: David Alaba, Neymar, Saul Niguez, Top Rumours

Bayern Munich's David Alaba reportedly wants to join Barcelona, but only if the Catalan club agrees to play him in central midfield. Yet Barca may see the highly versatile Austria international as a potential central defender next season.

Spanish source El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror) stated Barca have "contacted Alaba" and "established that the 23-year-old would like to play for the Blaugrana."

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But the sticking point remains where Alaba plays—it has to be at the heart of midfield, a demand he's already made in Munich.

Still, Bayern chiefs appear content to look at other options in the middle, according to Malyon: "Technical director Mathias Sammer was aware of this desire yet still finalised the signing of Renato Sanches from Benfica this week, making it more difficult for Alaba—who is 24 next month—to find a place."

It speaks volumes of the quality in Bayern's squad that a player as flexible and gifted as Alaba would ever be struggling to find a spot.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press/Associated Press

His combination of physical power and energy, along with the technical quality exuded from his wand of a left foot, makes Alaba an asset for any squad. But he's had to show those attributes at various positions across the Munich defence, notably featuring at both left-back and centre-back this season.

Finding help in the latter position remains Barca's priority, as Malyon pointed out.

Paris Saint-Germain Give Up Neymar Chase

Before fixing midfield and defence, Barca manager Luis Enrique can at least be content he won't lose one of his marquee strikers to mega-rich Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

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French publication L'Equipe (h/t Spanish source Sport) stated how PSG have run into difficulties in their bid to snag Neymar:

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Neymar’s desire is to continue at Barcelona, where he is happy next to Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, forming the best trident in the world. But what could alter his desire would be the off the pitch tax issues which have been linked to his contract.

In France they know Neymar will continue with Barça next season and that he has a deal until 2018. They recognise the fact he will play the Olympics and not the Copa America this summer is a sign he has a good relationship with the club, while he is negotiating a new deal with the Blaugrana, too.

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PSG will apparently revisit a deal only when Neymar indicates he's "ready to leave" the Camp Nou.

Signing Neymar at any time will be an ambitious and difficult deal, even for a club with the resources PSG can boast. The Brazilian isn't quite as effective as fellow strikers Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, but he's the future face of Barca. His pace, natural flair and impudent trickery make him a crowd favourite and a marketing dream.

As his finishing improves, Neymar can eventually grow into the talisman-like role currently owned by 28-year-old Messi.

Saul Niguez the Target in Midfield

Alaba may want Barca to play him in the middle, but the Camp Nou club apparently has other ideas for midfield. Chief among them is a potential move for emerging Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez.

But they will face competition from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, according to Spanish publication AS (h/t David Wright of the Daily Express), who reported that the north London side will "trigger his £36 million release clause this summer and make him their highest-paid player to secure his signature."

Wright also noted that La Liga expert Guillem Balague previously revealed Barca and Manchester United's interest in the 21-year-old midfielder on social media.

There's no doubt Saul has all the qualities any midfield would welcome. He's a tireless runner and is as comfortable on the ball as he is tough in winning possession, while also boasting a keen eye for goal. The latter trait is evidenced by nine goals across all competitions for Atleti, per WhoScored.com.

But with Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta already in the fold, along with the precocious Sergi Roberto, Enrique may not deem midfield his highest priority this summer.

Mateo Musacchio on Defender List

Instead, the manager's primary focus is likely to remain adding a centre-back. Veronica Brunati of Spanish paper Sport reported that Villarreal's Mateo Musacchio is one of the names the Barca boss will keep tabs on.

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Brunati noted how Barca tried to sign the defender, who has a €50 million release clause, back in 2013, but she also revealed how the competition for the player's signature will be fiercer three years on: "Although there has been no formal contact between the clubs, the player is one of the options for Luis Enrique to reinforce the team. However, they are not the only team that want him—Tottenham, Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal are the other teams trying to sign him."

Barca would likely represent a more desirable destination for a player already used to La Liga, but would Musacchio actually upgrade Enrique's defence?

After all, he regularly finds himself warming the bench for the Yellow Submarine while Victor Ruiz and Eric Bailly roam the middle of defence.

The latest transfer rumours hint that Enrique won't have to worry about the best forward line in the game this summer, but he will be keen to reinforce the areas behind his star-studded attacking trio.