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Barcelona have responded very well to Hansi Flick's tactics so far this season. The German manager took charge at Camp Nou this summer and has registered four wins in his first four games.
Meanwhile, the Catalans are interested in a Ghanaian midfielder who plays for Arsenal. Elsewhere, the Spanish giants have suffered a setback in their efforts to sign Erling Haaland.
On that note, let's look at the major Barcelona transfer stories from September 9, 2024.
Barcelona eyeing Thomas Partey
Barcelona are among the clubs eyeing Thomas Partey, according to Caught Offside. The Ghanaian midfielder has entered the final year of his contract with Arsenal and is unlikely to be handed a new deal.
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The Gunners have already signed an upgrade in Mikel Merino and were open to Partey's exit this summer. Although a move failed to materialize, the player is expected to finally leave the Emirates in 2025.
The Catalans are among five clubs hot on the 31-year-old's heels. The La Liga giants remain keen to add more quality to their midfield next summer, but their finances have crippled them in the transfer window.
Barcelona are looking at cost-effective options and the chance to sign Partey on a Bosman move is too hard to resist. However, the Catalans will face competition from Atletico Madrid for the Ghanaian. Meanwhile, Juventus are willing to offer the player a three-year contract to move to Turin.
There's also interest from the Middle East, with Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli also keeping a close eye on his situation. Partey remains focused on the season with Arsenal for now but will have to make up his mind soon.
Catalans suffer Erling Haaland blow
Erling Haaland is likely to sign a new deal with Manchester City, according to SPORT. The Norwegian is among the most feared strikers in world football right now and has admirers at Camp Nou as well.
The Catalans are laying down succession plans for Robert Lewandowski, who is in the final phase of his career. Haaland could be the perfect candidate to replace the legendary Pole, but prising the Norwegian away from the Etihad isn't going to be a walk in the park.
The Spanish giants could struggle to afford the player's exorbitant wages and transfer fee, given their poor finances. Barcelona will also face competition from Real Madrid for the 24-year-old.
However, City are all set to pour cold water on the Spanish duo's plans as well. The Premier League champions are already in talks with the player's camp regarding a new deal. Haaland's new contract with also contain a release clause.
Manchester United were not in talks for Frenkie de Jong this summer, says Fabrizio Romano
Frenkie de Jong never entered talks with Manchester United this summer, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Dutch midfielder has become an enigma for Barcelona of late, with the club already trying to offload him in recent seasons.
De Jong is one of the highest earners at Camp Nou and it is believed that the Catalans were open to his departure this summer. The Red Devils are long-term admirers of the 27-year-old and it was reported that they considered a move for the player this year.
However, in his column for Caught Offside, Romano rubbished those rumors.
“We once again this summer had many stories about Frenkie de Jong’s future at Barcelona, and there were new links with Manchester United, as we’ve so often seen before," wrote Romano.
He continued:
“The latest we’ve heard is that Man United made some contact with De Jong during a moment when they weren’t so sure if the Manuel Ugarte deal was going to happen. However, I can tell you that this summer, the reality is that there was absolutely nothing."
He concluded:
“There was zero between De Jong and Man United, because the reality is that De Jong never wanted to leave Barcelona. De Jong is fully focused on Barcelona, and it’s also important to note that he’s too expensive for Man United – his salary is very high and so it was something impossible for United this summer.”
De Jong is under contract with the La Liga giants until 2026 and is currently sidelined with an injury.
