Wolves winger Goncalo Guedes is already open to quitting Molineux after speaking to Xavi on a transfer to Barcelona. The Portugal star only moved to the Premier League in August.
That is according to AS, which reports Xavi has spoken with Guedes to convince him on the move to Catalunya. The Blaugrana boss has also told Camp Nou chiefs to negotiate terms with Wolves for the 26-year-old. He feels Guedes is the ideal successor to Memphis Depay.
Barcelona have considered re-signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Chelsea to replace the Dutchman. But La Liga rules would not permit the Blaugrana to register the Gabon star again. Yannick Carrasco has also now ruled out a move to Camp Nou from Atletico Madrid.
So, Xavi has advanced his interest in Guedes’ transfer with the Barcelona boss and Wolves winger holding direct talks. Their conversations have also convinced the 32-cap dynamo to return to Spain. He only left Valencia last summer in a £27.5m deal on a five-year contract.
Guedes showed ‘great interest’ in Xavi’s project following their discussions but his transfer from Wolves remains complicated for Barcelona. The Camp Nou natives are still limited by Financial Fair Play requirements. So, they want to sign the forward in just a six-month loan.
Barcelona only want to sign Guedes in a loan transfer from Wolves in January
Barcelona also hope Wolves will agree to let Guedes join on loan without an obligation for his permanent transfer. The Blaugrana will request an option to buy the £90k-a-week star, though. They will further rely on the help of super-agent Jorge Mendes to broker any deal.
Mendes shares excellent relations with Barcelona president Joan Laporta and the Wolves hierarchy. But Calciomercato has also reported that Guedes is a January target for Atletico Madrid and Valencia, plus the Blaugrana. So, Wolves could be reluctant to permit his loan.
Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is not enamoured with Bruno Lage’s summer signing since he replaced the Portuguese in charge, though. Guedes has only played 17 minutes of Premier League action under the Spaniard. He also only played in Lopetegui’s first game in charge.
Lopetegui left Guedes on their bench against Manchester United and Aston Villa since the winger came off it at Everton. He also omitted the winger from his 20-man matchday team against West Ham United last Saturday. So, Guedes’ return to Spain might yet materialise.
But Wolves can also point to Adama Traore joining Barcelona in a loan-to-buy transfer last January as a reason to oppose Guedes’ temporary switch. The Blaugrana product returned to Camp Nou with a £29m clause but came back to Molineux after four assists in 17 games.
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