According to a report by Le10 Sport, FC Barcelona are eyeing a move for Portugal and LOSC Lille midfield star Renato Sanches. The Catalans are looking to bolster their midfield after losing Georginio Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain. While the club is looking to offload Miralem Pjanic from their midfield after the Bosnian endured his worst season.
Sanches started his football career in the youth ranks of the Portuguese club Benfica in 2010. The youngster made his first-team appearance for Benfica in 2015 following which he made 35 appearances for the Portuguese side. But it was Euro 2016 which changed the life of the young midfielder. Sanches helped Portugal to win the Euro title for the first time while UEFA named him the Young Player of the tournament.
Following his promising performance in the Euro, Bayern Munich signed Sanches at a transfer fee of 35 million in 2016. But the youngster failed to prove himself in Bayern and entered a descending phase in his career. In 2017, Sanches was sent on loan to Swansea, but that move also miserably failed for the youngster.
Following his ill-fated stint at Bayern Munich, Sanches was sold to LOSC Lille at a price of €25 million. And the youngster has rebuilt his career in France over two years. Sanches played a key role for Lille last season as they lifted the Ligue 1 title after 10 years. The youngster also carried his form in the Euro 2020, but unfortunately, Portugal was eliminated in the round of 16.
But his performance has caught the eyes of Barcelona, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur who are willing to sign him. Sanches has still two years left in his contract with Lille, but the club would sell him if the right price is put on the table.
Barcelona have shown their interest in Renato Sanches
Barcelona are doing good in the summer transfer market as they have covered up 80% of their problems with the new signings. But the 20% still remains which includes 10% of Lionel Messi’s contract situation and 10% of the midfield situation at the club.
The Catalans have a great set of young players at the midfield with players like Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Ruig Puig. But Ronald Koeman is searching for a defensive midfielder who could replace the ageing Sergio Busquets in the next season. Barcelona signed Miralem Pjanic last season in a swap deal from Juventus to solve Busquet’s problem. But the plan failed miserably as the Bosnian player was not at his best last season.
Following this situation, Barcelona targeted the free agent Georginio Wijnaldum, and both parties had a verbal agreement. But Wijnaldum ditched Barcelona at the last moment after accepting a high-paying job at PSG. And now Barcelona are back to square regarding the midfield situation.
However, they have now set their eyes on the Portuguese rising star Renato Sanches to solve their midfield problem. But as of now there has been no official approach made by the Catalans for signing the midfielder. If Barcelona are successful in signing Sanches this summer, then there would be a major success for the club next season.
But signing the youngster is not easy, as Barcelona have two problems to face. First, financial condition, the Catalans are in no condition to spend a big amount on any player this summer. Secondly, Barcelona will have a tough competition from Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur for signing Sanches. So, let’s wait and see if Barcelona are able to secure the services of Renato Sanches.
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