Barça's Transfers and Rumors

[barca1899]

Bringing another inexperienced young CB (Dede, Balanta)is imo wrong.Keep playing with Masch as a CB is risky. I would sell Song,use Masch as Busi's sub and buy an experienced CB (27-30yo) who won't mind rotating with Pique,Bartra and Puyol.That way we would have 4 CBs and shift Masch to the back if needed.

Dede is 25 and played nearly 200 professional football matches.

 

[DonAK]

Isn't that newspaper based in San Sebastian? Should be pretty reliable then, no?

You're right, but I got no idea whether its reliable or not. DonAndres can probably tell. Either way, I find it hard to believe us willing to pay 36m for a CB not named Thiago Silva.

 

[suckabov]

Whats with the rumours going around of Bild reporting that club representatives have held meetings with Gundogan's agent and father several times lately? True or just another... twitter rumour?

Bild reported it just an hour ago. They write according to their sources, his father & uncle met with Barcelona representatives several times already. Not sure how reliable their sources are given that his father has said in December that Dortmund would be the first to talk to, but then again Dortmund have (reportedly) been in talks with him since the start of the month and he still hasn't made up his mind...

Anyway, if RM and United go for him in the summer, we should do too. Couldn't stand seeing him playing good football for RM.

 

[Cule4life]

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid never looked all that dangerous this season from set pieces.

The idea is that having someone like Masch who wins so many balls and keeps possession so well it reduces the number of corners and set pieces the other team gets.

If there was a CB that could do what he does and have height that would obviously be better but there is no player around that can.

When did Masch become this God where only he can win the ball early and keep possession. I'm guessing you are one if those people who say only a player who is Xavi on the ball can be our goalkeeper.

I mention doria and Balanta most because they are the most value for money. Yeah there are other good prospects like benatia mangala.and laporte but they are all very expensive

 

[DonAK]

Bild reported it just an hour ago. They write according to their sources, his father & uncle met with Barcelona representatives several times already. Not sure how reliable their sources are given that his father has said in December that Dortmund would be the first to talk to, but then again Dortmund have (reportedly) been in talks with him since the start of the month and he still hasn't made up his mind... Anyway, if RM and United go for him in the summer, we should do too. Couldn't stand seeing him playing good football for RM.

Thanks!

I hope we go for him!

 

[Cule4life]

Gundogan would be great. I dont think Cesc can play the Xavi role and Samper needs time.

 

[DonAndres]

You're right, but I got no idea whether its reliable or not. DonAndres can probably tell. Either way, I find it hard to believe us willing to pay 36m for a CB not named Thiago Silva.

I don't directly read much Basque press but within context of the news surrounding Athletic, that rumor is a massive stretch. Price is too much for Barca to consider and the player himself doesn't want to leave. He's a fan favorite, constant starter, and one of the biggest linchpins in a side that's pushing for the CL places this season and next. Valverde has reiterated that Athletic isn't a selling club and he wants a long term project for the team.

I could see, much like Javi Martinez, that around 2-3 years down the line he will become a widely known name in the media and start having higher ambitions. Probably then he'll leave and only for the amount in his buyout clause (which will probably be raised by then). That's a sky-high price for a 21-22 year old so as of now I feel the only teams who'd consider at that point would be the big money teams (PSG, Monaco, City, Real Madrid); but if the market keeps inflating to the point where 40m for a young quality defender is simply above average, then maybe other elite teams that aren't wild-spending will push for him.

 

[JamDav1982]

When did Masch become this God where only he can win the ball early and keep possession. I'm guessing you are one if those people who say only a player who is Xavi on the ball can be our goalkeeper.

I mention doria and Balanta most because they are the most value for money. Yeah there are other good prospects like benatia mangala.and laporte but they are all very expensive

He is winning more tackles than any other CB in La Liga this season which is something considering how much they have the ball and over the past few seasons has laregly been top in terms of tackles interceptions etc.

He also plays more successful long passes than anyone in the team, no other CB can spread the play like he can.

Masch is far and away the best reader of the game defensively which is needed when you have two attacking full backs and even Pique who can wander forward.

Look at the games he missed last season and the majority of those are when the defence looked at its most vulnerable on the counter attack.

Have you ever seen him live? I honestly don't think the tv does him justice how early he reads the game and covers for other players.

He will make mistakes but every single CB in the world would if they were asked to play his role.

What do you like about Doria and Balanta then?

 

[Barcaman]

Gundogan would be great. I dont think Cesc can play the Xavi role and Samper needs time.

It's been a while since we integrated non-La Masia midfielder in first 11.
It would probably be beneficial to sign another German since we're obviously getting ter Stegen. Would be easier to settle in, I guess.

 

[Howes]

Mashcarano had been great this season, but obviously the champions league is the big test though.

After the outlay on Neymar this season, I really don't see Barcelona spending big next summer. A goalkeeper and a centre back with someone leaving

 

[barcanuck]

God if I see the name Gundogan every other post I will...

{exploding head gif}

 

[TataMascapenes]

I'd rather wait and see how Bartra evolves than spend millions of euros for a player that will probably become an obstacle to his development.

I keep hearing this, you guys are worse than Wenger some seasons ago

 

[beautifulgame]

I keep hearing this, you guys are worse than Wenger some seasons ago

lol this

 

[BarçAjax8]

The problem is all the billionaires with their Oil/Steel money who know nothing about football have ruined the transfer market. These clubs don't have good academies and have no problem spending upwards of 100 Million each transfer window in order to build their club. We have to approach transfers differently now. Barcelona is a very desirable club to play for but you take an up-n-coming player who we offer 3 mill a year to and then another offer from Chelsea, City, PSG, Monaco or Madrid comes in for 10 mill a year... most likely they're taking the money and sitting in the rain in Manchester.

We have a strict budget and since we can't spend big we need to spend smart. We will only be able to make one big transfer (25-30 mil) and a few smaller/smart transfers depending on the situation each year. Bartra, Pique & Masch have done well for us so rather than spending our entire budget on a Luiz, Hummels, Mangala, Martinez we should sell Song and go for a Zouma, Dede, Balanta, Martins-Indi etc. The risk would be minimal but the reward could be priceless.

 

[psychotsek]

As much as I love Puyol he is finished. We can't rely on him. Please tell me which is this experienced defender who is a realistic target? To much money being thrown around to get the big names.

Yes we can't rely on Puyol but he can serve as a fourth sub for another year imo.As for the kind of player i mention he doesn't have to be a top name.
Players like Miranda,Godin,Konscielly,Gonzalo or even Albiol can play that role.

Dede is 25 and played nearly 200 professional football matches.

Agreed but he has never played in europe and he is 25.I don't think we can afford to lose time to a player who will need time to adapt to european and Barca's play.