Daniel Passarella has revealed that Tata Martino believes Barcelona will be looking for defenders in the winter, though not necessarily Eder Alvarez Balanta.
The Catalans have been linked in recent reports with a possible move for River Plate’s highly-rated Colombian defender, having not signed a centre-back during the recent summer transfer window.
River’s President Passarella has indicated that whilst he expects Barca to make a move for a centre-back in the midseason, he does not think it will necessarily be for his team’s 20-year-old.
“I spoke with Tata Martino for a moment, a very nice chat, and then he commented to me that in December Barcelona will be in need of defenders,” Passarella has told Ole today.
“He knows all the player. I said that we have very good players, but he never said ‘we want to buy Balanta’.
“Balanta is worth much and he will be worth more. If in the future the player could reach a valuation of €50m, of which there is great possibility of happening, then 90 per cent would tell you that €4m or €5m now is not good. So for this he would not be sold.”
Passarella, who was in Europe this summer briefly, visiting Madrid and Florence, commented on money a number of clubs owe River Plate for former players.
“Did I solve any of those debts? No. Atletico have owed us for Falcao for the past four years, Monaco also. And we are the only club that does not complain nor brings FIFA into it.
“Between that and what corresponds on the moves for Higuain, Lamela and Demichelis and one more to be paid when [Monaco’s] Lucas Ocampos reached 30 games, we are due to take in between €6m and €7m.
“We have sent Atletico a letter, because we did not want them to think of any visit from me as a warning out of the blue. We sent it on Friday and expect an answer on Wednesday.”
Passarella also commented that he believes he has closed a deal with Real Madrid to play in next season’s Trofeo Bernabeu.
