Barcelona have started a push for Valencia midfielder Andre Gomes and though he’s reportedly not a priority, he is on the wanted list.
Sport say Barca have followed the Portugal international for some time and the Catalans have decided to make their move this summer, feeling he fits in with what Barca need in the squad at the moment and that he is the level of player it takes to succeed at Camp Nou.
Barca have asked Los Che about Gomes’ situation but the price tag may prove a stumbling block, Valencia pointing to Gomes’ €40m clause as what it would take to get him out of Mestalla.
Gomes though feels he can go no further at Valencia and is ready to leave, with Valencia having held talks with Juventus but as the Italians won’t go past €25m, there has been little movement, and the future of Paul Pogba may prove decisive. If Pogba leaves Turin for more than €100m it would free the Old Lady to spend more on his replacement.
Barca and Valencia have been discussing other players already this summer but Gomes is keen to go to the champions, and Barca could offer Alen Halilovic and Cristian Tello to encourage an agreement for Gomes.
There isn’t a hurry for Gomes, Sport note, and Barca will only accelerate the operation if they believe they can get him for less than his clause – around €30m, which could be done by valuing Halilovic and Tello at €12m combined, Fiorentina having an option to sign Tello alone for that same amount.
Barca are also not ruling out movement for Arda Turan, who is not guaranteed a place under Luis Enrique and after a difficult Euro 2016, in which he was booed by Turkey fans, he is considering his next step.
Gomes though would welcome Barca and both Luis Enrique and sporting director Robert Fernandez are fans, though so are Manchester United, but Barca could afford his wages and offer the 22-year-old the chance to win trophies, which Valencia may not be able to match.
