FC Barcelona transfer rumour update – Arthur and Iker San Vicente

Barcelona earmark Iniesta’s successor in Brazilian youngster

PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 22: Arthur of Gremio controls for the ball during a first leg match between Gremio and Lanus as part of Copa Bridgestone Libertadores 2017 Final at Arena do Gremio on November 22, 2017 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Arthur has used this season to break out onto the scene. The young Brazilian has catapulted himself to a star with his performances for Grêmio and has attracted interest from the biggest club in the world.

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Barcelona have been looking for a successor to Andrés Iniesta for a long time. The club has Marco Verratti, Philippe Coutinho and André Gomes in mind for that role but none of those plans materialised.

Currently, Denis Suárez holds that role in the squad but there are doubts where he can live up to the bill. But Barcelona may find that player in Brazil, in Arthur. The youngster has all the qualities required to make it at the Camp Nou and is the ideal fit, and Robert Fernandez recognises that.

The club has gone all out to sign Arthur in the January transfer window. He has a release clause of €50 million, but that is a reasonable figure considering today’s inflated transfer market. The club’s officials in Brazil are giving it their all to bring Arthur to the Camp Nou.

Barcelona’s representative in Brazil, André Cury went as far as clicking a photo with Arthur with him wearing the Barcelona shirt. Also, Robert Fernandez talked to Arthur’s father and agent, Aílton about a potential deal.

"Later, Aílton said, “They told me they had come to watch Arthur up close, that they enjoyed his performance and that, if everything goes well, he’ll be playing for Barcelona soon. That was the only contact I have had with any representatives of Barcelona until today.”"

Arthur seems to fit the profile and he may be pulling on a Barca shirt come January.

Barcelona snap up Iker San Vicente on a free transfer

Barcelona have a defensive injury crisis in the first team...

But they've snapped up one of Spain's most promising centre-backs for the youth team.

Iker San Vicente joins from Osasuna 💪https://t.co/RKavBJ8MMJ pic.twitter.com/RDYP9RUqmZ
— MARCA in English (@MARCAinENGLISH) December 3, 2017

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Barcelona have got one of Spain’s most exciting prospects on board by signing young Iker San Vicente on a free transfer. The Osasuna academy product did not agree to sign a new contract with the Pamplona-based club and Barcelona consequently snapped him up.

San Vicente was unable to play at Osasuna and will slot into the U-19 team after putting pen on paper. But he will need to perform at his very best, because the management is looking to accelerate him into the B team.

The first-team squad is in dearth of defenders. And the club is set to promote David Costas, a starting centre-back in the B side into the first-team squad. He will be deputising for Gerard Piqué and Thomas Vermaelen, who will be starting.

Next: Iniesta ruled out for Sporting Lisbon clash

Since Barca B will lose one of its best players, it will need a talented defender to fill in for him. The club is signing Iker San Vicente with him in mind for that role.