Barcelona‘s most recent transfer window was one of the most cost-effective transactions the club has ever made. Memphis Depay, Kun Aguero, and Eric Garcia were all signed on free transfers by the Blaugranas, but there was one area where they fell short.
Despite leading the race to recruit Georginio Wijnaldum, the midfielder changed his mind after receiving a last-minute offer from PSG. Barcelona’s aim to add a muscular presence in midfield, however, was unfulfilled.
On the Verge of Becoming a Barcelona Player
Renato Sanches was one of the names associated with the club in the window. The Portuguese midfielder drew a lot of attention at Lille when he secured a starting berth in Ligue 1.
The youthful athlete not only contributed a lot of progressive passes to the club, but he was also a brilliant defender. Barcelona, on the other hand, was interested in signing him until he was injured and had to undergo surgery.
The midfielder spoke about this earlier this week. “If it wasn’t for my injury, I would have signed for Barça this summer,” Sanches said, displaying how advanced the negotiations were between the two teams.
About His Career
The 24-year-old was also linked with a move to Liverpool, but the Reds pulled out after his injury. The Portuguese international is finally fit and ready to play, and he appears to be on his way out of Lille this summer.
Sanches represented Portugal at the youth level, earning 40 caps and scoring eight goals. At the age of 18, he made his full international debut in March 2016 and was selected for UEFA Euro 2016, becoming the youngest Portuguese player to play in an international tournament and the youngest player to win a UEFA Euro final. As Portugal won the tournament for the first time in their history, he scored one goal and was named Young Player of the Tournament.
So far this season, the midfielder has one assist while averaging three dribbles and six duels won per 90 minutes.
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