Transfer Rumours V4

I dont think a midfielder is a priority now. We need a GK and a CB more. A CB is more imminent.

CBarca wrote:Of what I watched of Gundogan, I see a very good player. Are we interested in him? Because I'd be very happy if so.

I'd say he's a step down from Thiago in terms of pure talent, but he's still a very good young player who I think would be a good option to "replace" Xavi, if Thiago can't (and we threw that option out of the window, at least for now).

In terms of 'pure talent' I guess there's hardly a player who wouldn't be a step down from Thiago, as far as I can judge.
However, Gündogan is much more accomplished, as he has been the central player of his team for 2 years, he's got a tactical mind as well.

Thiago will clearly be an incredible player for us but I don't think he has the experience and decision making yet to put him in a league with Gündogan.

laxman363 wrote:I dont think a midfielder is a priority now. We need a GK and a CB more. A CB is more imminent.

We do need a proper player to rotate Xavi with. Xavi's legs are not what they are, and playing Song in his place when he comes off is just horrid; especially with JDS being out for the season. We lack a proper CM other than Xavi.

We waited too long to get proper back ups/replacements for our stars (Puyol, Xavi). Atleast the clubs is already looking to get ter Stegen, since Valdes is leaving

windkick wrote:

laxman363 wrote:I dont think a midfielder is a priority now. We need a GK and a CB more. A CB is more imminent.

We do need a proper player to rotate Xavi with. Xavi's legs are not what they are, and playing Song in his place when he comes off is just horrid; especially with JDS being out for the season. We lack a proper CM other than Xavi.

We waited too long to get proper back ups/replacements for our stars (Puyol, Xavi). Atleast the clubs is already looking to get ter Stegen, since Valdes is leaving

We can play iniesta-busquets-cesc till then.

There's a total deal, with club and player, on the transfer of Gladbach keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen (21). Only announcement left. [sport]

A deal with Monchengladbach on Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (21) could be close. The German goalkeeper already decided to join Barcelona. [md]

Latest news:
- Ter Stegan to Barcelona is a done deal [fee: 10M].
- Reina will also join if Pinto didn't renew his contract [decision according to Bartomeu could be made in February].

where do you get these news? Nothing on sport and MD.

Also, if Reina comes, there is a chance he might be given more minutes then Ter, because he is Barca product, so i hope he does not come.

Hapless_Hans wrote:

CBarca wrote:Of what I watched of Gundogan, I see a very good player. Are we interested in him? Because I'd be very happy if so.

I'd say he's a step down from Thiago in terms of pure talent, but he's still a very good young player who I think would be a good option to "replace" Xavi, if Thiago can't (and we threw that option out of the window, at least for now).

In terms of 'pure talent' I guess there's hardly a player who wouldn't be a step down from Thiago, as far as I can judge.
However, Gündogan is much more accomplished, as he has been the central player of his team for 2 years, he's got a tactical mind as well.

Thiago will clearly be an incredible player for us but I don't think he has the experience and decision making yet to put him in a league with Gündogan.

Agreed except the last sentence. That's really a personal opinion though, as I rate Thiago incredibly highly.

Ter Stegen agreement is for the winter or summer?

Ter Stegen for 10M. I gotta say thats a good deal the man has a lot of potential and has his club sitting at 3rd in Bundesliga.

windkick wrote:Ter Stegen agreement is for the winter or summer?

I believe summer. Valdes will remain our #1 till end of season and Pinto behind him.

eelir wrote:where do you get these news? Nothing on sport and MD.

Also, if Reina comes, there is a chance he might be given more minutes then Ter, because he is Barca product, so i hope he does not come.

Sport: http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/vendra-ter-stegen-2970073

MD: http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20131231/fc-barcelona/ter-stegen-cuesta-12-millones-de-euros-y-pepe-reina-la-mitad_54398703689.html

yeah Khaled they appeared after you posted in about 10-30 min.

Have any one here watched Balanta?

Yes I've seen him. The unknown Colombian impressed with some top performances last season. Very athletic, strong in air as well as a good tackler. He is good on the ball but his passing can be wayward sometimes. He shows lack of inexperience from time to time, often rushing things or making risky decisions but he's 20. I'm sure he'll improve with time. Is he Barça material? Perhaps not quite yet.

Granted, he's had a string of uninspired performances this season but you can attribute that to the fact that he's playing for a shit team. Despite River's bottom quarter finish in Inicial, they had one of the better defences in the league.

Would you say given Barca's position desperation, it would be smarter to sign him (or someone of his kind, ie inexperienced yet talented) now rather than waiting for a midtable/Europa League team to pick him up and therefore having to pay out 2 or 3 times that amount in a couple years if we did want him/someone like him?

danyjr wrote:Yes I've seen him. The unknown Colombian impressed with some top performances last season. Very athletic, strong in air as well as a good tackler. He is good on the ball but his passing can be wayward sometimes. He shows lack of inexperience from time to time, often rushing things or making risky decisions but he's 20. I'm sure he'll improve with time. Is he Barça material? Perhaps not quite yet.

Granted, he's had a string of uninspired performances this season but you can attribute that to the fact that he's playing for a shit team. Despite River's bottom quarter finish in Inicial, they had one of the better defences in the league.

Thanks for the info, very helpful.
He might join in January [rumor on twitter].

The Franchise wrote:Would you say given Barca's position desperation, it would be smarter to sign him (or someone of his kind, ie inexperienced yet talented) now rather than waiting for a midtable/Europa League team to pick him up and therefore having to pay out 2 or 3 times that amount in a couple years if we did want him/someone like him?

I can't speak for Barcelona/Barça fans but I think given the defensive woes Barcelona have had you may be wanting an already established defender? I personally am a fan of signing young talents and developing them (some can be hits, some will be flops) as opposed to buying finished products but frankly I don't see Barcelona in a situation to gamble.

As far as long-term plans are concerned, you could sign him and loan him straight out to a La Liga club. Sure, it hasn't been a policy that has worked for you in the past but many clubs such as Arsenal have done this with fairly positive results (Ramsey and Wilshere come to mind).

Khaled wrote:Thanks for the info, very helpful.
He might join in January [rumor on twitter].

No problem. I really liked the guy last year but this year he's been a bit of a mixed bag. I'm sure BC can expand on that

Pls danyjr, River conceded the least amount of goals in the tournament and it wasn't because of Bottinelli.

Anyways he's a Jorge Mendes player now, so that ship has sailed. Future Madrid legend.

I hope f'n fat waiter at Napoli does us a solid and comes in and swoops Mascherano this window. It would practically force the club to get a defender

Apparently there are a ton of reports in Turkey that Barca has transferred Ibrahim Afellay, who just recently recovered from his injury and had returned back to training, to Galatasaray. No details yet on cost, or if it was a loan or if he was sold

If true, it would be a nice gamble for Galatasaray ahead of the knock stages. Ibra can offer allot and he isn't cup tied. Apparently from what I read he was 100% healthy and back to regular training right before the break in La Liga. So by now he should be fine

windkick wrote:Apparently there are a ton of reports in Turkey that Barca has transferred Ibrahim Afellay, who just recently recovered from his injury and had returned back to training, to Galatasaray. No details yet on cost, or if it was a loan or if he was sold

If true, it would be a nice gamble for Galatasaray ahead of the knock stages. Ibra can offer allot and he isn't cup tied. Apparently from what I read he was 100% healthy and back to regular training right before the break in La Liga. So by now he should be fine

Cool, hope we've sold him. I will always remember that cross to Messi in the CL semifinals, wish him the best!

great player with so much talent.. only held back by damn injuries..

Above average player, nothing more. Never believed he could really make it at Barça. Hope he makes the best of the remainder of his career.

I would give him a little over above average, but I never really believed he would make it either, though I like him as a player.

Shame about injuries, I hope he can put the injuries behind him and fulfill his potential yet.

Well lets see if the rumor is true. I think it could make sense, given Wesley Sneijder is over there

many different websites saying Pep wants David Luiz
might be our last chance to get him should we even want him in the first place
despite many here disliking luiz, it makes me wonder why Pep wants him and if he does get him and turns out to be world class big facepalm to us.