Barcelona step up transfer hijack on Man Utd and Arsenal target

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 20 Dec 2023 09:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona’s attempts to land a midfielder during the January transfer window have seen them turn their attention towards Fluminense midfielder Andre Trindade, according to reports in Spain.

Andre has been hotly linked to a string of Premier League clubs, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Fulham all notably close to the 22-year-old player, who will feature in Friday’s Club World Cup final against Manchester City.

Barcelona are seeking to disrupt the narrative over Andre by making an audacious swoop for the player as a replace for the long-term injured Gavi, according to Sport.

Sporting director Deco is hoping that the player will be available to sign on loan for the next six months, with his strong relationship with the Fluminense board giving Barca hope that an unlikely operation is viable.

The Brazilian side are reportedly considering holding their player until the summer, according to the Spanish report.

With Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool among those clubs hovering, though, Andre is unlikely to make a brief loan to Barcelona.

There appears little for Fluminense to gain from the deal, particularly given Barcelona’s financial problems, while the player has previously indicated a desire to play in the Premier League.

“I watch the Premier League and it's a big dream to play there,” he said this week.

“I'm focused on finishing the season with Fluminense and realising our own dream of winning the Club World Cup. But my dream is clear, to be a Premier League player.”

Verratti or Rabiot alternative options

Among the alternate midfielders that Barcelona are looking at are Adrien Rabiot of Juventus and Marco Verratti of Al-Arabi.

Rabiot has six months left on his deal at Juve and could, therefore, be available for a relatively cheap fee, albeit Sport indicates that he will have to force the move through himself, something that appears unlikely given how settled he feels.

Verratti, on the other hand, could join up on a loan deal until June. It is suggested that as compensation to his Qatari employers, he would sign a one-year contract extension.

Given Verratti is Gavi’s idol, there would be a nice symmetry to this deal for Barcelona.