Barcelona negotiate a swap deal for Matthijs de Ligt
Barcelona has been planning to include many of their players such as Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal, Samuel Umtiti, Philippe Coutinho and Junior Firpo in swap deals to reduce the asking price for their transfer targets.
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Barcelona have been focusing on the fact that they must sign a world-class defender in the upcoming transfer window who can act as a long-term replacement for Gerard Pique who is 33 years old and is playing one of his last few seasons at the Camp Nou.
Quique Setien has listed many defenders such as Kalidou Koulibaly, David Alaba, Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano on his radar. However, over the past few days there have been reports that have stated that the defending La Liga champions have offered Juventus Arthur Melo in exchange for Matthijs de Ligt.
According to the Mundo Deportivo, the management of Juventus have rejected this offer as they feel despite the fact that De ligt had an awful season in Italy he has shown a lot of scope to improve and develop into one of the best defenders in the world over the next few seasons. The Bianconeri have countered this swap deal and have offered their 25-year-old Italian defender Daniele Rugani in exchange for Arthur Melo. Quique Setien has shown interest in the Italian defender but is yet to accept this offer.
The Spanish giants shouldn’t accept this offer as they would be signing a player who has played in only 18 league matches over the past two seasons. The Blaugrana should alternatively try to sign a defender who has played a more influential role for his side over the past few seasons such as Kalidou Koulibaly or David Alaba.
Moreover, swapping Arthur Melo for a defender will leave the club with no depth in the midfield and could tamper the performances of Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets who will be overworked and overstretched in the upcoming season. Barca should alternatively try and negotiate an offer to sign Miralem Pjanic by offering the services of Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic.
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What do you feel Barcelona should do with Arthur Melo in the upcoming transfer window?