Chelsea main competitor for Barcelona to sign €45m defender

marquinhos
marquinhos

marquinhos

PSG defender Marquinhos has struggled to get regular games this season and he could be looking for a move in January to continue his progress. 

La Liga champions Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian defender. However, according to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan giants are likely to face a strong competition from Premier League club Chelsea for his signature. 

Jose Mourinho wants a top quality central defender at Chelsea and the Portuguese could make a move for Marquinhos in the January transfer window. 

Chelsea were keen to sign Everton defender John Stones in the summer, but the Toffees had rejected three bids from the Blues, making it clear the defender was simply not for sale. It seems now Chelsea have shifted their focus on signing Marquinhos instead. 

According to reports from France, Chelsea had a €45m bid rejected in the summer for the former Roma defender, but the Blues haven’t given up on him yet. 

Barcelona target Robin van Persie 

Former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has emerged a shock January transfer target for Barcelona, according to reports from Spain. 

Mundo Deportivo claims the Blaugrana are considering a move for the Fenerbahce striker, who left United to join the Turkish club in the summer. 

van persie2

The Dutch striker is an instinctive forward and still has the talent to make a significant contribution for Barcelona, but concerns over form and fitness seems to have knocked his confidence. 

Van Persie scored a comical own goal in Netherlands’ 3-2 defeat to Czech Republic earlier this week. As a result the Oranje have failed to qualify for the 2016 European Championships.

At this moment, Barcelona are a little short of cover in the attacking department, having sold Pedro in the summer and lost Rafinha and Lionel Messi with a long-term injury problems. 

Van Persie, 32, would be a good short-term solution for Barcelona and he wouldn’t be the most expensive purchase either given his age.

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