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Barcelona and Inter Milan look set for a sure-shot deal in January

By Atharva Khadilkar

Barcelona's Spanish manager Ernesto Valverde (L) and Chelsea's Italian head coach Antonio Conte greet before the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 football match between Chelsea and Barcelona at Stamford Bridge stadium in London on February 20, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona's Spanish manager Ernesto Valverde (L) and Chelsea's Italian head coach Antonio Conte greet before the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 football match between Chelsea and Barcelona at Stamford Bridge stadium in London on February 20, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Given their interest in each other’s players, Barcelona and Inter Milan may complete a deal amongst themselves in the upcoming transfer window.

Barcelona and Inter Milan played to an entertaining clash on Tuesday evening, where the Catalans emerged 2-1 winners. Carles Perez and Ansu Fati were on target for the Blaugrana, while the hosts got one goal through Romelu Lukaku. Barca’s win meant that their opponents finished third in the group and have been relegated to the Europa League.

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Despite an enthralling fixture between the two European giants, there has been bigger talk involving both clubs’ transfers. The Serie A outfit has vested interest in two of Barca’s midfielders- Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic- and Ernesto Valverde’s side has been monitoring situations of Lautaro Martinez and Milan Skriniar.

Antonio Conte wants Arturo Vidal in his side during the winter and will prioritize on the Chilean’s signing over Rakitic’s, claims Diario GOL. The former Chelsea manager is familiar with Vidal from his days at Juventus, and despite his age, the midfielder has shown that he is still a flamboyant player with a lot of strength and physique in him to play for a side like Inter.

Vidal has signalled that he finds Barcelona a very good place to ply his trade, but he will move if he finds another club where he can play regularly. While Inter Milan do have a good line-up, they can easily slot the ex-Bayern Munich midfielder into their engine room by removing either Borja Valero or Cristiano Biraghi.

The La Liga leaders are hellbent on signing both their targets from Inter Milan as they are on the radars of other European clubs as well. Currently, the Blaugrana are not in a sorted position financially, and hence, they are looking to materialize the Italian side’s interest in Vidal to their advantage by asking for a swap deal.

With Vidal already close to Inter, the Catalans are ready to pay 60 million euros and land Milan Skriniar. The Slovakian central defender is valued at 100 million euros, but the club will be able to sign him by exchanging a bit of less cash given Vidal’s evaluation of a rough 40 million euros, and the deal may go through in the winter.

Gerard Pique will soon be calling it a day on his career at the Camp Nou, while Samuel Umtiti may also leave the club in the New Year. In that circumstance, Clement Lenglet will be Barca’s only centre-back available because even Todibo looks set for a move to AC Milan. Thus, with all internal possibilities in mind, Skriniar fits the bill of Barca’s requirement.

Next. Atletico and Barcelona in talks over a lucrative swap deal. dark

Which other players do you think Barca should do business over during January?

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