Barcelona Transfer News: Marc Bartra to Snub Premier League, Latest Rumours

Marc Bartra is inching ever closer to leaving Barcelona, with the latest reports indicating he would prefer to move to Valencia rather than join a Premier League club. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain full-back Gregory van der Wiel is said to have been offered to the Blaugrana.

According to Catalan daily Mundo Deportivo (h/t the Daily Express' James Gray), Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are all eyeing a move for Spain international Bartra, who has a buyout clause of just £6.4 million.

But the 25-year-old would prefer to stay in his native Spain, per the report, and Valencia would be his first choice. The club has already approached the centre-back, who wants to wait until after the upcoming UEFA Euro 2016 tournament in the hope his value increases in France.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Bartra started Spain's 6-1 friendly demolition of South Korea on Wednesday, but that was before the Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid players joined La Roja. In all likelihood, he'll have a back-up role with the team, with Gerard Pique of Barcelona and Real's Sergio Ramos starting.

Bartra remains a difficult player to gauge. He's a product of Barcelona's vaunted academy, La Masia, and he made his debut back in 2010, but after impressing for the Catalans initially, his development has come to a standstill.

As shared by Squawka Football, he didn't see the pitch much last season, but his stats were promising:

"

Marc Bartra's La Liga season:

13 games
88% pass accuracy
14 aerial duels won
6 tackles won
2 goals
2 chances created#AskSquawka @Recks11

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 1, 2016"

Once regarded as Barcelona's top defensive prospect, it's easy to see why the club had such high hopes for him. His passing ability and composure on the ball are impressive for a relatively young defender, and there's a reason he made Spain's Euro squad.

But persistent issues with concentration continue to plague Bartra, and the fact he hasn't been able to nail down a regular starting position with the Catalans speaks volumes to how he's regarded at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique doesn't seem to trust him, and he's not expected to block Bartra's exit, per Sport (h/t Daily Star's Jamie Anderson).

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Bartra is a talented, productive defender, but the persistent links with some of the Premier League's top clubs are baffling. The defender has shown no signs of progressing in the last two years, and Barcelona seem more than willing to part with him.

A fee of £6.4 million means there will be few risks involved with any deal, however, and perhaps all Bartra needs is a change of scenery to come good on his potential.

Elsewhere, Calciomercato (h/t Football Italia) claimed Rob Jansen, the agent of Van der Wiel, has offered the Dutch right-back to Barcelona, who might be in the market for an experienced full-back with Dani Alves almost certain to leave for Juventus.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Van der Wiel's contract will expire during the summer, so he wouldn't cost the Catalans a transfer fee. AS Roma are reportedly interested in acquiring his services, but the PSG man seems more interested in a move to Barca.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

The 28-year-old joined PSG from Ajax in 2012 in what was seen as an odd move at the time. While talented, few expected him to hold his own in the French capital, and it didn't take long for PSG to target a younger option with more potential.

Les Parisiens added Serge Aurier on an initial loan deal in 2014, but the Ivorian missed several matches during the 2015-16 campaign because of a handful of controversies―per BBC Sport, he was suspended for insulting his manager and team-mates in a video and faces trial after he allegedly assaulted a police officer. In his absence, Van der Wiel played some of the best football of his career.

While he may not be a world-class option, Van der Wiel would bring valuable depth and experience to a position that will be a major need for the Catalans once Alves leaves.

The links with Roma have been more persistent, however, and the Giallorossi appear favourites for his signature.

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