FC Barcelona’s director of professional sports, Albert Soler has stated that the Catalans are trying their best to secure the services of the Spanish international – Paco Alcacer. The 22-year-old Valencia striker has emerged as Barcelona’s top target and a few local newspapers have leaked that the player has agreed terms.
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Robert would not reveal how close the deal was to being completed but added, "The market is open until Aug. 31. We're very interested in Paco. We're working on it, but we can't say more at the moment." He further emphatically announced that it would be "Alcacer or no one."
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He further added, "I am always optimistic and I work with the aim of getting things done, but it's not easy because it's difficult to come to Barca. We have a team which is difficult to improve and that makes it even more difficult. I'm optimistic, and we'll exhaust all options until the final day of the market."
A couple of days back, Alcacer had asked the club to allow him to join Barcelona before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, according to numerous reports in Spain. One of the newspapers in Spain had gone the extra mile and published a post regarding Alcacer’s ‘five-year deal with Barcelona’ for a fee of €30 million.
Although midfielder Andre Gomes has already been transferred to Barcelona, Valencia would still need to sell in order to comply with UEFA’s financial fair play regulations. It was speculated that Munir El Haddadi would be included in a loan deal, but reports have suggested that the young winger was on his way to Celta Vigo on a season-long loan.
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Valencia are at the bottom of La Liga after starting the new season with two defeats and further departures are expected at the club before the close of the transfer window. Alcacer was dropped for yesterday’s match against Eibar. When questioned regarding his place in the team, Los Che manager Pako Ayestaran said: “To play for Valencia you have to have your body and soul in Valencia." This almost but confirms Paco’s departure to the La Liga giants.
Alcacer is considered one of Spain’s promising young talents after scoring over thirty league goals for Valencia in the last three seasons. Five years ago, the Catalans were close to sealing a deal with the forward for €3 million and are willing to spend ten times the money on securing his services for the upcoming season.
