Barcelona have reportedly closed the deals to sign Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie on free transfers ahead of the summer transfer window.
And, for a while, it seemed like a third Bosman signing was on the horizon, with the Catalan giants pursuing the services of AFC Ajax defender Noussair Mazraoui. Indeed, reports in Spain had claimed that the deal was as good as completed.
However, there has been a twist in the tale as Bayern Munich have made a late push to sign the Moroccan international. The Bavarian giants are keen on addressing their right-back issues and have zeroed in on the Barcelona target as their ideal candidate.
According to MARCA, the German champions are pushing hard to secure the signing of Mazraoui and, as a result, Barcelona have all but given up any hopes of landing the defender.
The report states that the Blaugrana do not intend to enter a bidding war for the Moroccan international and offer a contract beyond their means.
It is claimed that the Catalan giants had presented the Ajax full-back a deal that was in line with the ones offered to both Christensen and Kessie.
Given the club’s delicate financial situation, the Barça officials do not wish to go beyond certain parameters to improve the contract offer as they have to keep a tight leash on the wage bill and comply with La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules.
It has now led to Barcelona pretty much giving up their pursuit of Mazraoui, who, as things stand, is close to agreeing a contract with Bayern Munich.
As for the Blaugrana’s right-back situation, Dani Alves’ contract expires in the summer. But there is a possibility that he would be handed a new deal. Furthermore, the garnet and blue have also reinitiated talks over an extension for Sergi Roberto.
Sergino Dest has been linked with an exit. But in light of Mazraoui’s pursuit falling through and the USMNT star showing improvements of late, the club might consider keeping hold of him.
