Barcelona remain hopeful of signing Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose this month, according to a report in Marca.
Tottenham are said to have had a €20m bid for the Basque-based striker rejected by La Real last month and the club were said to be reluctant to increase this offer.
Indeed, the new report cites the player’s €70m release clause and despite La Real not holding out for that amount, it is significantly enhancing their negotiating position.
Willian Jose then refused to play for Real Sociedad in their Copa del Rey clash against Espanyol out of protest against this offer being rejected.
The 28-year-old has netted 53 goals for La Real since he joined the club in the summer of 2016 from Deportivo Maldonado and following stints at Las Palmas and Real Sociedad.
Barcelona will be allowed to make a signing from another Spanish club outside of the transfer window should it be confirmed that Ousmane Dembele faces a minimum of five months out.
