Three Premier League clubs, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, are understood to be plotting a move for Barca’s Sergi Roberto.
Someone needs to give Barcelona a lesson on how to set a release clause.
After the Catalan giants were forced to watch on helplessly as Neymar agreed a world-record £200 million move to PSG, as reported by the BBC, it appears that the sharks can smell blood.
The report states that both Manchester United and Chelsea will happily pay the fee and enable Roberto, who is concerned about his lack of game time at the Camp Nou, decide his own future.
And it appears that Tottenham Hotspur, who have suddenly sprung into action in the transfer window, are set to join two of their title rivals in the race for a player who has become absolutely indispensable to Barcelona in the last 12 months.
Jack of all trades, Master of some
El Mundo Deportivo reports that Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has expressed an interest in the La Masia graduate, who played 47 games in all competitions last season but was mostly deployed at right-back due to Barca’s failure to sign a natural replacement for Dani Alves.
New Barca boss Ernesto Valverde stated on Friday that 25-year-old Roberto is ‘vital’ for Barca. Ironically, however, he made these comments at the club’s unveiling of former Spurs midfielder Paulinho, who could prevent Roberto forcing his way into the club’s midfield.
However, you wonder what position Pochettino would seek to deploy the three-time Spain international. He is hardly short of options in central midfield but could do with reinforcements at right-back following the departure of Kyle Walker to Manchester City.
It appears Roberto’s versatility may be both a blessing and a curse.
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