Ariedo Braida has revealed that Barcelona “like” Mateo Kovacic and hinted at a January swoop for the Inter midfielder.
The Croatia international has struggled for game time since Roberto Mancini’s appointment as Coach last November but is still only 21 and remains a hot prospect in European football.
The rules of Barca’s FIFA-imposed transfer ban stipulate that they cannot sign any new players until January, but this has not stopped Braida from confessing his admiration for the starlet.
“At the moment I can’t say much, there’s nothing concrete yet, but I can’t deny that [Mateo] is a player we like,” the international sporting director told FCInterNews.
“The rules are clear. Barcelona can’t sign anyone in the summer, but [the ban] doesn’t forbid us from seeking verbal agreements for January.
“[On Pedro Rodriguez’s future], he’ll still be a Barcelona player [next season].
“He’s extremely important to us and won’t leave because he has a contract here and even more so in light of the FIFA ban.
“Neither do I think he’ll leave in January. He’s an important player for us.”
