Barcelona are considering a bid for Sporting Gijon’s Spanish Under 21 defender Jorge Mere, say reports in the Spanish press.
According to El Mundo Deportivo, the Blaugrana are considering activating Mere’s €15m release clause at El Molinon after he followed up an impressive personal campaign in La Liga with a strong showing in the Under 21 European Championships for Spain.
The 20-year-old played 56 top flight matches for the Asturians across their two seasons in La Liga before relegation this season, which has reduced his release clause in half from the original €30m.
Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez has reportedly scouted Mere several times while the defender has also been linked to a host of clubs including Betis, Valencia, Sampdoria and Fiorentina.
Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti are the established central defenders at the Camp Nou and despite Brazilian Marlon signing a permanent deal earlier this summer, the club are looking to move on Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen.
