Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Paco Alcacer and Munir El Haddadi Rumours

Paco Alcacer has reportedly completed his medical ahead of his transfer from Valencia to Barcelona, with Munir El Haddadi set to move in the opposite direction.

According to Moises Llorens of AS, the Blaugrana will announce the deal soon, with Alcacer set to sign on at the Camp Nou for five years. The transfer could eventually cost the Spanish champions €32 million (£27.3 million), with €30 million (£25.5 million) of that amount a fixed fee.

It’s suggested by Mundo Deportivo (h/t Llorens) that Munir will move to Mestalla Stadium as part of the deal in order to gain some crucial first-team experience.

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Barca’s quest to secure support for Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar has dragged on throughout the summer, and Alcacer finally looks poised to make the move to Catalonia.

It’s a lot of money to pay for a forward who'll essentially be an understudy to the illustrious trio, but here’s what the 22-year-old can offer at his best:

Alcacer has plenty of developing to do. There have been times when he’s showcased remarkable natural talent in the final third in terms of touch, technique and awareness in his finishing.

However, as Valencia struggled last term, so too did the striker. Barcelona will be hoping that at the right club, working alongside the likes of Messi, Suarez and Neymar, his development will be expedited. Journalist Rafael Hernandez believes the striker has the talent to reach the top level:

Alcacer will certainly bring something different to the Barcelona attack, although his addition muddies the waters for Munir.

The forward has long been expected to blossom into a star at the Camp Nou, having burst onto the scene at the beginning of the 2014-15 season with some wonderful performances. However, he’s found it tough to muscle his way into contention and, as such, his progression has stalled.

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Last season, Munir started just eight games for Barcelona in the Spanish top flight. Now aged 20, it’s important he gets a regular run of games under his belt and is handed the chance to show what level he’s at.

There is undoubtedly ability to tap into when it comes to the youngster. Grup 14's Sergi Dominguez believes Barcelona would have been fine utilising Munir as the fourth forward:

Valencia have endured a testing summer, and should Munir make the switch, it’d hopefully give the supporters a boost. Los Che have already lost Andre Gomes to Barcelona, and Alcacer and Shkodran Mustafi—who is set to join Arsenal, according to BBC Sport—will be tough players to replace.

The Barcelona hierarchy will be hoping their man can become a key part of a revitalised attack at the Mestalla and not affected by the turbulence that’s engulfed the club. As noted by OptaJose, they’ve got off to their worst start in a long time:

Alcacer will have to be patient when Barcelona have their full cast of forwards available, as he’ll likely be utilised as an option from the bench. But as the campaign goes on, expect him to get plenty of minutes, with manager Luis Enrique no doubt aware his stellar triumvirate could become jaded late in the campaign.

Munir will want to return to the Camp Nou as a matured footballer ready to challenge the aforementioned stars. If he’s handed a regular spot in a settled and improved Valencia side, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t thrive.