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FC Barcelona transfer rumour update – Matthjis de Ligt and Kalidou Koulibaly

By Chiranjib Ghosh

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - MAY 24: Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax during the UEFA Europa League final between Ajax and Manchester United at Friends Arena on May 24, 2017 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by MICHAEL CAMPANELLA/Getty Images)
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - MAY 24: Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax during the UEFA Europa League final between Ajax and Manchester United at Friends Arena on May 24, 2017 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by MICHAEL CAMPANELLA/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona track Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly

NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Kalidou Koulibaly of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring goal 3-0 during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio San Paolo on October 1, 2017 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Kalidou Koulibaly of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring goal 3-0 during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio San Paolo on October 1, 2017 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) /

The centre-back situation at Barcelona is starting to get precarious. The backup central defenders are slowly ageing, and anyway, the squad is better off without Javier Mascherano and Thomas Vermaelen at this point.

Yerry Mina would be a complete newcomer to European football when he arrives next summer. Hence, he would need a season in the B team or out on loan. Marlon Santos had a great start at Nice, but has shown signs of deterioration.

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If he doesn’t improve by the end of the season, Ernesto Valverde would be unlikely to request for a recall. So, that leaves room for a signing, and a big one. Neither Mina nor Marlon would be ready to take on a first-team spot in at least the next 2 years.

Hence, the name of Kalidou Koulibaly has cropped up. The Senegalese defender has been the subject of widespread interest in the European market. But Napoli has not agreed to sell him. Nonetheless, they have set a price tag for him.

€50 million is a steep fee for a defender, but with the latest budget announcement, Barcelona can afford just about any player. Koulibaly is a formidable physical presence on the pitch, and has a commanding aerial presence.

He can rejuvenate Barca’s defence and is a very good option. But Barcelona will be facing opposition from many top Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Liverpool for his signature.

Barcelona prioritise Matthijs de Ligt signing despite tracking other stars


Although Kalidou Koulibaly is a very good player, he is 26. Although he is not old, he is not young either. He does have a bright future, but not one as bright as Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch youngster is one for the future and Barcelona have prioritised him.

He is used to top-flight European football, and will have no problem fitting into the current setup. When analysing his signing, Gerard Piqué’s age also comes into play. Piqué is 30 and can continue for a solid 5 seasons if he can stay injury-free.

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But then what, Yerry Mina or Marlon Santos may not be good enough to succeed a player like Gerard Piqué. Then comes the age factor that is in favour of Matthijs de Ligt. De Ligt is 18 years old, and has the potential to succeed Piqué when the time comes.

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