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Barcelona travel to Girona in their La Liga game this Sunday, hoping to regain their five-point lead over Atletico Madrid, who won against Getafe 2-0, on Saturday.
There's be more interesting developments in this January transfer window as the Catalans look to strengthen their squad.
Also See : La Liga Transfer News, Liverpool Tranfer News, Manchester united Transfer News.
Let's take a look at the key Barcelona transfer news and rumours of the day:
#1 De Jong on his Barca move, Messi's role in the transfer
Barcelona have invested heavily in this January transfer window, with the signing of Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong for a fee of around €75m, taking up a chunk of their transfer budget.
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The 21-year-old was linked with a number of clubs, including PSG and Manchester City, but he revealed how and why he chose the Spanish giants in a recent interview.
"I rang Maxwell [PSG sporting coordinator] to tell him I was not joining them and my agent informed PSG. I also spoke with Guardiola about a move to Man City. Clubs all try to convince you when they want you.
"I am happy and proud that they did so much to get me. I am happy, proud and also somewhat relieved that it's now all behind us. Barcelona have always been a dream club for me. I already watched Barcelona as a kid and then when I was a bit more aware of the game when you had the Guardiola era with all their successes. That turned me into an even bigger fan," said de Jong.
de Jong's father also revealed that Lionel Messi personally called him and convinced the youngster to join him in Barcelona.
#2 Valverde criticises Guardiola
Guardiola's tapping up of de Jong before his switch to Barcelona has angered Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde, who said that talking to another team's player is not right.
“Talking to a player who is under contract with another team is something that can’t be done. You can’t talk to a player who is under contract and that’s something that isn’t in my personal code but suffice to say, everyone has their own way of acting," said Valverde.
#3 Jordi Alba speaks about his Barca future
Recent reports indicated that Barcelona and Spain left-back, Jordi Alba, could be leaving the club, with the likes of Juventus and Manchester United keen on signing him.
But Alba has now revealed that his intention is to retire at the Catalan club rather than move away.
In an interview with Sport, Alba said that it was his dream to play with Barcelona and that dream still remains: "It's obvious that my dream is to stay at Barcelona. It's cost too much to get here to then have to leave. I have my family here, their support, the fans and my teammates. I don't think I'd be happier anywhere else."
He also spoke about the rumours of Manchester United and Juventus interested in his signature: "You never know in football, but I repeat that my intention is to stay here come what may. I have never seen myself outside of Barcelona, since I have been at Barça it's my dream [to stay]. As the years have passed I have kept growing and I notice the affection from the fans even more. I have always seen myself in Barcelona and my dream is to retire here."
#4 Denis Suarez shunned?
Spanish midfielder Denis Suarez is no longer needed at Nou Camp and it appears that Barcelona would put him in the reserves for the rest of the season if he doesn't agree to a move.
Arsenal are very interested in signing Suarez, but with the Gunners not agreeing to the terms set by Barcelona, the Spaniard could very well be at the club till the summer transfer window, as per Kike Marin of El Confidencial. Real Betis and Sevilla are also interested in him, but Suarez is keen on reuniting with Unai Emery at Arsenal.
#5 Arsenal make late bid for Malcom
Arsenal have reportedly put in a loan bid for Malcom during their negotiations to sign Suarez. Arsenal have targetted Barcelona's Suarez for the last two weeks or so, but it now appears that they are also interested in another Barcelona player, Malcom, as per The Sun.
The summer signing has not impressed the Barca management and the Catalans are set to loan him, with North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur also interested in the 21-year-old. The report further states that Barcelona could demand up to £50 million for Malcom in the summer.
#6 Neymar text messages convinced de Jong to sign with Barca
Spanish publication AS are reporting that Barcelona reportedly showed Frenkie de Jong numerous text messages sent by Neymar about how Ligue 1's standards was not up to mark, and that he regretted leaving Barcelona, in a bid to pursue him to sign with Barcelona rather than Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazilian is also said to have complained about the combative nature of the league, a complaint which was then relayed to de Jong.
