Mateo Kovačić

[BBZ8800]

Croatian papers already writting how Barca is ready to pay 30-40 Millions for Kovacic, as Iniesta's replacement.

If we have to chose between 100m Pogba and 30-40m Kovacic, I would pick Kovacic.
It is questionable whether he will ever be good enough for Barca, but at least he has "Barca's Dna" in the way how he plays and thinks.
Pogba is just Pogba. Extremely expensive and not Barca's type of a midfielder.

I would rather have Kovacic against parked buses in tight spaces than Pogba (even though again, it is very questionable whether he will ever reach Barca's level).

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

I would still rather have Verratti. He is better than Kovacic is right now, and I also don't want Inter to sell their best player even if it is to Barca (though if he definitely is sold, I hope it's to Barca and not some other club).

I don't really want Pogba at all, I wouldn't complain if we signed him I guess (better not be for 100m though) but Verratti and Gundogan are both better options IMO.

 

[Barcaman]

I'd also like Verratti (my favorite player btw.) but PSG won't sell. We're looking at realistic options.

 

[EdmondDantes]

I don't think Kova has done anything so far to suggest he's worth 15 million, let alone 40. He is a talent, yes, but many others have leapfrogged him.

 

[BBZ8800]

I would still rather have Verratti. He is better than Kovacic is right now, and I also don't want Inter to sell their best player even if it is to Barca (though if he definitely is sold, I hope it's to Barca and not some other club).

I don't really want Pogba at all, I wouldn't complain if we signed him I guess (better not be for 100m though) but Verratti and Gundogan are both better options IMO.

Oh, of course.
I would rather have Veratti, Koke, then Gundogan, Kovacic. Pogba for 100M would be the last choice. If he would cost 30m, then ok. But for 100m, please no.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

Oh yeah, forgot about Koke as well.

 

[Co0ter]

I see a player with excellent ball control and acceleration who likes to take on players...like Halilovic. I don't see amazing vision or much of a goal-scoring threat either. I can admit I don't watch him regularly, but when I do I haven't been too impressed. Then again, he's playing on a shitty team and the Italian league is of very, very low quality at the moment. Is he good defensively or at pressing at all?

Verratti is not for sale, period. Gundogan for me is a bit overrated and hasn't been at his best for a while.

For me it's Koke or Pogba. Koke is a great, all around player like Verratti imo, I think he could fit in and be a very useful part of our midfield. Iniesta has been a non-factor for a while now. Xavi is old and Rafinha just hasn't done enough.

Pogba works hard, is tall, strong and has a great shot. His ball control and dribbling is a bit underrated here too. Who would I bet on fitting in better? Koke. Could Pogba end up being a beast for us? Yea, but it's a gamble.



We need to buy players who will make us better RIGHT NOW. Messi will be leaving his prime in a few years and Suarez is 28 already- make the most of them while we have them.

 

[BBZ8800]

I see a player with excellent ball control and acceleration who likes to take on players...like Halilovic. I don't see amazing vision or much of a goal-scoring threat either. I can admit I don't watch him regularly, but when I do I haven't been too impressed. Then again, he's playing on a shitty team and the Italian league is of very, very low quality at the moment. Is he good defensively or at pressing at all?

Verratti is not for sale, period. Gundogan for me is a bit overrated and hasn't been at his best for a while.

For me it's Koke or Pogba. Koke is a great, all around player like Verratti imo, I think he could fit in and be a very useful part of our midfield. Iniesta has been a non-factor for a while now. Xavi is old and Rafinha just hasn't done enough.

Pogba works hard, is tall, strong and has a great shot. His ball control and dribbling is a bit underrated here too. Who would I bet on fitting in better? Koke. Could Pogba end up being a beast for us? Yea, but it's a gamble.



We need to buy players who will make us better RIGHT NOW. Messi will be leaving his prime in a few years and Suarez is 28 already- make the most of them while we have them.

About the last part, I agree 100%, and I would also want a player for RIGHT NOW while we still have Messi, the one and only.

About Kovacic, I am from Croatia, I personally have 0% faith in Halilovic, he is just "dumb" and has low footballing IQ.
Kovacic on the other hand, hmm, he "could" turn into something. But he has miles of work to do, to get to Barca's level.
1. he needs to impose himself much more (in a Xavi way)
2. he needs to take more responsibility
3. he need to play good in every match, and not hot and cold

He could turn into a Barca's level in 2-3-4-5 years, he has the potential.
But then, that won't help because we need someone for Messi, right now.

It is impossible, but I would swap Kovacic for Halilovic right away.
Again, I don't see Halilovic ever making it at Barca.
While Kovacic could make it with some luck, hard work and a good guidance.
But that's a lot of ifs. And again, we should buy players for right now.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

Went off injured...

 

[blaugrana1987]

Believe me, Kovačić is better then Halilović and better then Modrić was at his age. Much better...His confidence is shoot down, but he has as good ball control as anyone from Barca bar Messi. He truly is special talent...He just didn't gel in Inter, but they still didn't want to sell him last year for 30 mil to us. I watch pretty much every game of his, and he is talented as fuck. Sure Veratti would be better, as would Pogba, but we can't get Veratti and Pogba would cost 80mil minimally with the way Italians do business.

And someone said something about Mateos vision and goal scoring, seriously, you didn't watch him long enough. Everyone in Croatia wants him to play every int match because apart from Modrić, he has best trough balls in team. Would love it if we are to get him. For 30 mil he is better deal then Rakitić is tbh and he is a great deal. This kid, with right training methods will be top 3 ACM in the world, no doubt about that.

 

[dakt]

Yeah, I also see him as huge talent and potential. I wouldn't expect him to solve our midfield problems right at the moment of his arrival, but 2,3 years to reach his "full" potential.
It's a gamble, but considering his style of play (likes possession and dribbles) AND his behaviour on and off the pitch, he would fit Barca like a hand into a glove.

He's one of the rare players I enjoy to watch.

 

[DonAK]

40m for Kovacic?

Pay 30-40m for Gundogan and get over with it and use the spare money to buy someone like Oliver Torres, Tielemans or Kovacic(if we can get him for cheap some way). That's by far our best option.

 

[dakt]

40m for Kovacic?

I don't believe Inter is that stupid to require that amount for a youngster. ~20m. deal should do.

 

[DonAK]

I don't believe Inter is that stupid to require that amount for a youngster. ~20m. deal should do.

He's a big talent and got a contract until 2019.

 

[dakt]

We'll see. I think 20-25 would do, but I also think that english clubs will step up and raise the price. Especially now when they gave poor result in europe and MU is aiming to get back on the throne.
Plus the midfield market is not very huge.