'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona host Espanyol at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday, November 3, in LaLiga. Hansi Flick's team arrive at the game in high spirits following their 4-0 drubbing of Real Madrid last weekend.
Meanwhile, the Catalans have received some good news in their pursuit of Diogo Costa. Elsewhere, the Spanish giants have to pay a premium fee for a Lille goalkeeper.
On that note, let's look at the major Barcelona transfer stories from November 3, 2024.
Barcelona receive Diogo Costa boost
Bayern Munich have left the race to sign Diogo Costa, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg. Barcelona are eyeing the Portuguese goalkeeper with interest, as they look for a long-term replacement for Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Trending
The German custodian is currently sidelined after a knee surgery and is not expected to play again this season. The LaLiga giants roped in Wojciech Szczesny as a stop-gap solution for the position, although Inaki Pena has stepped up to the job so far.
However, a long-term replacement for Ter Stegen remains on the Catalans' agenda. The 32-year-old has a history of knee issues and Barcelona are worried he may never be back to his best.
The LaLiga giants have identified Costa as a possible solution for the job, but it was initially reported that Bayer Munich want him as Manuel Neuer's successor. However, Plettenberg has refuted those claims.
While the news will come as a relief for the Camp Nou hierarchy, the player's price tag could be a problem for the Catalans. He is under contract until 2027 and reportedly has a €75m release clause in his deal. Porto are likely to demand a premium fee to let him go.
Lucas Chevalier to cost €40m
Barcelona need to pay €40m to get their hands on Lucas Chevalier, according to SPORT. The Camp Nou hierarchy have had their eyes on the Frenchman since last season and are pleased with his efforts so far.
Chevalier has registered seven clean sheets from 17 games across competitions this season. He has already shown that he could be a fine replacement for Marc-Andre ter Stegen at Camp Nou.
However, the Ligue 1 club's valuation of the 22-year-old could put him out of the LaLiga giants' reaches. There's also growing interest in Chevalier's services, which could prompt the Catalans to consider alternate targets.
Catalans not in talks for Rafael Leao
Barcelona are not in talks to sign Rafael Leao, according to journalist Matteo Moretto. The Portuguese forward is reportedly unsettled at AC Milan after a fallout with manager Paulo Fonseca.
Recent reports have suggested that he wants to leave the Serie A side in 2025. The LaLiga giants have apparently identified him as a possible alternative to Nico Williams.
The Spanish forward was heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou this summer, but ended up staying with Athletic Bilbao. The Basque club are apparently determined to tie the player down to a new deal, which has forced the Calatans to consider alternatives.
Recent reports have suggested that Barcelona have turned to Leao as a failsafe option, and have initiated contact to sign him next year. However, Moretto has now rubbished those claims. The journalist mentions that all parties are aware that the Catalans do not have the funds to script such a deal.
