Barcelona are convinced Ilaix Moriba has already agreed to join RB Leipzig after rejecting all Premier League offers, including those from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, per Sport.
Ilaix’s agents are currently in Catalunya trying to trash out their clients’ exit from the Camp Nou before Tuesday’s deadline. They hope Barcelona accept Leipzig’s proposal so that the 18-year-old can move to Germany, but the La Liga outfit are currently offering resistance.
Barcelona insist that any potential suitor must pay their minimum €15m (£13m) valuation or Ilaix will stay beyond the window. Yet the midfielder will not be a part of Ronald Koeman’s plans if he stays. Instead, training only in the reserves until leaving as a free agent in 2022.
Barcelona have attempted everything to convince Ilaix to sign a new contract, but believe his heady is already elsewhere, Leipzig. Now, they request his agents bring a suitable bid to the table, after rejecting an €8m (£7m) offer last week.
Chelsea are showing strong interest in poaching Ilaix and would lead the race as Tottenham have concerns over Barcelona’s valuation. Spurs refuse to pay the Blaugrana’s asking price for player who is out of contract next summer. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, also want the Spain U19 international, but his representatives seem to have already rejected all rival bids.
Barcelona are convinced Ilaix has already agreed to join Leipzig and will give up everything for Die Roten Bullen. He will even accept a year on the sidelines to move to the Red Bull Arena. But his agents continue talks with Jesse Marsch’s side to move this month.
Will Ilaix leave Barcelona for Leipzig, if not Tottenham or Chelsea this summer?
Sport add Ilaix’s camp know the more Leipzig pay Barcelona, the less the Tottenham target would earn in Saxony. And Die Roten Bullen would need to pay in excess of €10m (£8.5m), as Blaugrana chiefs want to make an example out of Ilaix.
The Camp Nou hierarchy want to use Ilaix’s refusal to sign a contract as a warning to their academy players. The 18-year-old has played 18 first-team games for Barcelona since his debut in January. Since then, clubs from across Europe have shown an interest in transfers.
Reports by 90min list Arsenal, Everton, Leicester, Liverpool, West Ham, Wolves, Manchester City and United as alternative Premier League suitors. Each have either tracked his situation or held talks with Barcelona or his agent over a move to England.
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