Barcelona transfer rumours – Thursday update

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Harry Kane of Tottenham crosses the ball into the box during the pre-season friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Optus Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Harry Kane of Tottenham crosses the ball into the box during the pre-season friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Optus Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Barcelona have touched down in the USA for their pre-season tour, but the squad shaping never stops. We’re going to break down the latest Barcelona transfer rumours right here.

So far this summer we’ve seen four senior squad signings in midfielders İlkay Gündoğan and Oriol Romeu, central defender Iñigo Martínez and strike Vitor Roque. The first three are already in the building and Ro

Barcelona Transfer Rumours – Thursday Update

Raphinha linked with Manchester City

Reports in England suggest that Pep Guardiola is lining up a move for Brazilian winger Raphinha after Riyad Mahrez agreed to leave the Etihad for Saudi Arabia.

Barcelona have constantly been linked with a move for Bernardo Silva, so we wondered if there could be a swap deal on the cards between the two sides.

Reports on Thursday indicated that Barca had made Raphinha untouchable. Xavi is counting on the Brazilian international ahead of the 2022/23 season and has no interest in seeing him leave.

Juventus still want Franck Kessie

If Raphinha is a man that Barcelona doesn’t want to move, Kessie is a man they’re open to selling in order to reduce the wage budget at Camp Nou.

Reports out of Italy indicate that  Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has identified Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie as the perfect player to bolster Massimiliano Allegri’s squad.

The problem is that Kessie isn’t keen on a move back to Serie A after leaving AC Milan last summer.

The report even suggested that Frederico Chiesa may be offered in any potential negotiation, although it remains unclear if Barca would be open to such a move considering they need to reduce the wage bill and strengthen the central midfield area, especially if Kessie moves on.

Joao Felix is not a priority for Xavi and Barcelona

Portuguese striker Joao Felix has angered the Atlético management by stating his desire and dream to play for Barcelona.

However, according to the latest reports coming out of Spain courtesy of Mundo Deportivo, Xavi doesn’t see the striker as a priority this summer.

Signing Felix would be difficult considering the financial implications, and Barca has plenty of forward options this year. When Vitor Roque arrives either in January or the summer of 2024, they’ll have even more.

Barcelona haven’t completely closed the book on the signing, but right now the team has other priorities, like a central midfielder and right back.

Barcelona keen on Tottenham’s Harry Kane as a 2024 free transfer

According to a report in SPORT, Barcelona are keeping an eye on the Harry Kane situation. The England star’s contract runs out at Tottenham next summer, and he has yet to secure a transfer to another club.

Manchester United, PSG and Bayern Munich have all been linked, but Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is an extremely difficult person to negotiate with.

If Kane becomes a free agent next summer, Barcelona would reportedly be interested in signing him as a marquee name ahead of their return to Camp Nou following renovations.

It’s still likely that Kane makes a move this summer, as I can’t imagine Tottenham wanting to lose him for nothing next year.

Villareal interested in Ferran Torres

Barcelona have a number of attacking forward options at their disposal, and if they want to open up game time for someone like Abde, then they’ll need to facilitate an exit.

The most likely name heading out the door is Ferran Torre, who struggled through an up-and-down season with the La Liga champions.

According to reports, Villareal manager Quique Setién has earmarked Torres as a player he’d like to bring into the club this summer to bolster the Yello Submarine attack.

Nico Gonzalez is on the verge of joining Porto on a loan

Gonzalez was left out of the Barca squad selected to tour the USA, and that is purely based on the midfielder closing in on a loan deal to leave the Catalan club this summer.

Gonzalez is highly thought of by Xavi, which is why the Barca manager is keen to see him go out on loan and secure first-team minutes.

According to multiple reports, Porto is on the verge of signing Gonzalez, but they face competition from La Liga sides Valencia and Girona.

More Barcelona transfer rumours and confirmed signings:

Estanis Pedrola set to leave Barcelona on loan

Barcelona confirmed the signing of Diego Percan

Barcelona confirmed the signing of Gerard Martin

Barcelona are chasing Arsenal youngster Miguel Azeez