BARCELONA are reportedly working on an emergency transfer to sign Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose – despite the transfer window being closed.
According to the Evening Standard, Barca are keen on nabbing on the Tottenham target, who will be allowed to leave for £25.4million.
Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose is a reported target for LaLiga champions BarcelonaCredit: Getty – Contributor
But in order to be able to register the Brazilian, they must unregister one of their injured stars, with Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele both suffering from long-term problems.
Suarez is currently in contention to return in April but Dembele’s season is already over after suffering a complete proximal hamstring tear in his right leg during training recently.
LaLiga rules state that Barca have to inform the them of the serious injury no later than 20 days after it occurred, with the case to then be studied by a medical commission.
It is believed that the Catalan club will have a deal lined up to sign a striker by Wednesday.
Should a move for Jose fail – just like it did for Spurs – then Barca are ready to go for two other alternatives.
Former Arsenal forward Lucas Perez is understood to be one possibility after impressing at Alaves, while Getafe’s Angel Rodriguez is also being considered.
Speaking last week, Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay insisted that Barca are yet to make contact with them in their quest to pinch the 28-year-old, who was also linked with Manchester United in January.
He told Marca: “We haven’t had any conversation with anyone. I don’t know what will happen. I haven’t read about it, but it is true that the market has close. I can’t comment much.
“Willian Jose is a player who has attracted interest from several teams in the winter [transfer window] and we all know that Barcelona are looking for a striker.
“I don’t know if they’ll call us, but they haven’t done it yet. He is an important player for us and we would definitely miss him. We have many games left and we need everyone.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
