Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Paco Alcacer and Jeremy Mathieu Rumours

Barcelona are edging closer to signing Valencia striker Paco Alcacer, as Luis Enrique looks to bolster his attacking line.

Silvia Gonzalez of Spanish outlet Sport wrote that although Alcacer was deemed “non-transferable” by Valencia, Barca’s strong relationship with their La Liga rivals has pushed the transfer near completion.

Now, Sport’s Lluis Miguelsanz has reported that the deal is in advanced stages and all but done, despite the fact that neither club has signed on the dotted line as of yet.

That’s because Valencia majority shareholder Peter Lim met with Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez on Friday, when he reportedly reached a verbal agreement for the transfer of Alcacer.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Miguelsanz said the 22-year-old will sign a five-year contract at the Camp Nou and try to force his way into the team alongside Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Alcacer is convinced that he can do exactly that and make a name for himself with the Spanish champions, and it’s easy to see why.

The youngster is the kind of player Barcelona recruiters love: He’s young, fast, clinical and, above all, intelligent.

Most strikers enjoy being on the end of free-flowing moves to tap home for glory, but Alcacer is incredibly selfless in front of goal and smart enough to pick out team-mates in promising positions.

Here’s a look at the best of the striker from the 2015/16 campaign:

There are still plenty of details left to agree before Alcacer holds a Barcelona shirt aloft at the Camp Nou, but based on Sport’s reports, it’s only a matter of time.

In other news, Premier League side Arsenal have seemingly made an enquiry for defender Jeremy Mathieu.

French media outlets report that the Gunners have turned their attention to the Barcelona man in the middle of an injury crisis, and manager Arsene Wenger has made an approach, per Fred Nathan of the Sun.

Arsenal have Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Gabriel injured ahead of the 2016/17 season and are desperate to bring in a new defensive recruit.

Barcelona begin their La Liga title defence at home to Real Betis on Saturday August 20.