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Barcelona : Ernesto Valverde drops hint on a potential new signing

By Praneet Shetty

Barcelona's Spanish coach Ernesto Valverde smiles during the football club's first pre-season training session at the Joan Gamper training ground in Sant Joan Despi near Barcelona on July 15, 2019. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
Barcelona's Spanish coach Ernesto Valverde smiles during the football club's first pre-season training session at the Joan Gamper training ground in Sant Joan Despi near Barcelona on July 15, 2019. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images) /
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FC Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde confirmed that the team wishes to buy a new left-back but won’t rush the process…

Barcelona have had quite a summer having signed the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Antoine Griezmann and Neto to their squad however the Blaugrana don’t seem to be done with making new signings just yet. As the club is in Japan to face former captain Andres Iniesta‘s Vissel Kobe, Ernesto Valverde reflected on the fact that Barca may add a left-back to their squad and that the club’s doors will be open for new arrivals until the end of the transfer window.

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Jordi Alba, who has undoubtedly been the clubs primary left-back has established himself as one of the most integral members of the Catalan clubs squad. However, Barca seems to lack a player in the same position that will cover for the Spaniard in case of any injury or suspension. This has led to the La Liga champions to look at other options at the left-back position. The club has subsequently been linked with various left backs such as Junior Firpo from Real Betis and even Bayern Munich’s David Alaba. FC Augsburg’s Philipp Max also is also reportedly being considered but Firpo tops the list among the desired left-backs for Barcelona.

Speaking to Marca in a pre-match conference, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde had the following to say :

"” It is possible that we bring someone on. It’s true that in that position [left-back] we had problems last season. We are open to signing players until the end of the market. “"

Diario Sport revealed that Barcelona have identified Real Betis’ Junior Firpo as their prime transfer target to reinforce the left side of defense however there seems to be no agreement on a deal between the two clubs. While Betis values Firpo at €30 million, Barcelona reportedly are willing to pay just about €20 million for the Dominican left-back as financial issues seem to be a big roadblock for the Blaugrana.

Barcelona have been facing a lot of problems financially and have eve taken a loan of around €36 million to finance the Griezmann deal. If the Firpo deal fails, the Catalan club have identified Augsburg’s Philipp Max as a potential alternative while Bayern Munich’s David Alaba is even being considered but seems like a less realistic option for Barcelona.

Next. Will Neymar be able to secure a timely move away from Paris Saint-Germain?. dark

With Valverde confirming that there will be another signing, its just the question of who will join Barcelona and how the club will pull off the deal.

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