Barcelona news LIVE updates and transfer gossip from the Nou Camp
Tuesday, February 18
- Leganes forward Martin Braithwaite is Barcelona’s first-choice signing
- forward Braithwaite has a £15m release clause in his current contract
- Barcelona are favourites to sign Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez
- Barcelona will guarantee the Argentine star a £160k per week contract
- Dayot Upamecano has opened the door to a summer exit from RB Leipzig
Lautaro Martinez plan
Barcelona are favourites to sign Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez.
That’s according to Italian publication Calciomercato, who claim the two European giants share a ‘very good’ relationship having held productive discussions when Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio visited Barcelona last October.
Ausilio and Barcelona chiefs discussed Martinez and Italian international Stefano Sensi during those talks.
Now, the Spanish champions are focused on getting a deal over the line for Martinez, who they view as the ideal long-term successor to Luis Suarez.
Calciomercato claim Barcelona will guarantee the Argentine star a £160,000 per week contract but will NOT meet Martinez’s £92million release clause.
Instead, Barcelona intend to stagger their payments and offer players including Arturo Vidal in return.
Dayot Upamecano revelation
Dayot Upamecano has opened the door to a summer exit from RB Leipzig.
The Frenchman has caught the eye of several clubs including Barcelona and Arsenal with a string of impressive displays for the Bundesliga outfit.
When pressed about his future during an interview with RMC Sport, Upamecano said: “As I said, first I focus on Leipzig and afterwards, I know that I am being courted, that there are clubs that want me.
“I will talk well with my agents and my parents at the end of the season. And we will make the right decision.”
Emergency approval
Spain’s footballing authorities have given Barcelona the green light to make an emergency signing after confirming forward Ousmane Dembele will miss at least the next six months with a hamstring issue.
The France international, who joins fellow striker Luis Suarez on the sidelines, underwent surgery in Finland last week.
Barca, who allowed youngster Carles Perez to leave for Roma in January on loan despite Suarez being ruled out for four months, now have a 15-day period in which they can sign a replacement – despite the European transfer window being closed.
Spanish football regulations allow sides to make emergency signings if they can prove they will be left short if player is ruled out for five months or longer. La Liga’s Medical Committee on Monday confirmed this was the case for Barca.
The rules also stipulate that any new signing must either be currently registered at a club in Spain or a free agent, however they will not be permitted to play in the Champions League.