By Betsefy
Barcelona are reportedly in negotiations with Celta Vigo over defender Javi Galan, as the Catalan outfit look to sign a new left-back before the end of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso continues to be heavily linked with a switch to Camp Nou, but there have been suggestions that a deal for the Spain international has stalled.
As a result, according to AS, Barcelona have switched their attention to Galan, with the Catalan side viewing him as a player capable of competing with Jordi Alba for the left-back spot this season.
Alba was named on the bench for Sunday’s La Liga clash against Real Sociedad, with 18-year-old Alejandro Balde operating on the left, but head coach Xavi is said to want experienced competition for the team’s first-choice left-sided defender this term.
Celta have allegedly told Barcelona that they would require Galan’s full release clause of €18m (£15.2m) to be paid in order to let him leave the club this summer.
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The 27-year-old joined Celta from Huesca last summer and was in strong form for the Sky Blues during the 2021-22 campaign, contributing four assists in 41 appearances in all competitions.
Galan still has four years left to run on his contract in Vigo, but his relatively low release clause makes a transfer this summer a possibility, particularly if Barcelona officially pull out of a deal for Alonso.
Earlier this year, a report claimed that the Catalan outfit admired Galan’s ‘speed and power’ and believed he was capable of making the step up to the club.
Barcelona have already been active during this summer’s transfer window, bringing in Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde.
However, the club have still not managed to register Kounde, with the centre-back missing the team’s opening two games of the 2022-23 La Liga campaign.
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Xavi’s side allegedly need to raise £17m before they can register the Frenchman, with Memphis Depay and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang potentially leaving over the next week.
There remains speculation surrounding the future of Frenkie de Jong, with Manchester United allegedly preparing to make one final attempt to bring him to Old Trafford.
Barcelona are also said to be in talks with Lecce over Samuel Umtiti, while Martin Braithwaite is likely to depart before the window closes for business.
The Catalan outfit, meanwhile, are said to be keen to bring a new right-back to the club before the deadline, with Sergino Dest allegedly being told that he is free to seek pastures new.
Villarreal defender Juan Foyth has been linked with a switch to Camp Nou, and Yellow Submarine boss Unai Emery recently confirmed that the club were aware of the interest.
