Spanish transfer website Fichajes.net have reported that Barcelona are interested in Paris Saint-Germain shotstopper Gianluigi Donnarumma and are ready to offer Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in exchange.
The website reports that Donnarumma is one of the Catalan club’s key summer transfer targets but the club’s hierarchy consider the financial implications of his signing to be too much to bear, hence the proposal of a swap with Ter Stegen.
Ter Stegen has been with Barcelona since 2014 and has won major honours with the club. He was once regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in his time at Barcelona but since his battle with injuries began in 2018, he has failed to replicate the performances that saw him get those accolades.
Barcelona have stuck with him, however, even to the detriment of other great goalkeeping prospects. However, with the German approaching 30 years of age, it seems like the Catalan club is ready to move on from him.
Donnarumma, regarded currently as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, is the Blaugrana’s choice. The 22-year-old has amassed almost a decade of goalkeeping experience at the highest level despite being only 22 years. Now with PSG, his incredibly fast-paced career trajectory seems to have slowed down and the Italian is unhappy with the situation.
He is in a rotation mix with PSG’s other shotstopper, former Real Madrid man Keylor Navas. The Italian international has started about half the games played by PSG this season while Navas has started the other half. Both have been impressive in between the sticks for the Parisiens, making it difficult to pick a starting goalkeeper between the two.
Donnarumma, who has kept six clean sheets in 13 matches across all competitions for PSG wants the spot and his unhappiness at the rotation has caught Barcelona’s attention. The Catalan giants are happy to make him their number 1 starting next season.
Fichajes also reports that Donnarumma is keen on the move to Spain. Laporta’s good relationship with Donnarumma’s agent, Mino Raiola, could also come good for the club to help seal a deal in the summer.
Ter Stegen’s stance on the move, as well as PSG’s, remain unclear, however.
Ajax left-back Tagliafico keen on Barcelona move
Argentina and Ajax Amsterdam left-back Nicolas Tagliafico could be Barcelona’s next defensive reinforcement as the 29-year-old is reportedly keen on joining up with the Catalan club in the January window.
Barcelona only have youngster Alejandro Balde as Jordi Alba’s left-back alternative. The veteran left-back has now become prone to injuries and his performances have dipped, and the inexperience of his understudy Balde has forced the club to sometimes turn to right-back Sergiño Dest and utility centre back Oscar Mingueza to fill in the position.
Tagliafico fits the bill the Catalans have for the role and reports from Spain claim they are willing to get a deal done for his signature.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has said that the Copa America winner is doing all he can to make the move happen, even asking Ajax to let him leave on an initial loan deal.
However, Ajax only want to sell and Barcelona cannot afford anything but a loan deal, making the possibility of a January move less likely.
