Matteo Moretto Transfer Column: Federico Chiesa, Arthur Vermeeren, Eric Garcia and Alex Baena
08/27/2024 12:00 AM
Matteo Moretto gives Football España exclusive information on the latest deals dominating the papers in Spain, as revealed in Fabrizio Romano's Daily Briefing.
Juventus and Barcelona yet to agree deal for Federico Chiesa
There is no agreement or formal offer between Juventus and Barcelona for Federico Chiesa, that much we can say. The information I have is that Juventus don't have an offer on the table, but if Barcelona don't manage to free up space in their salary limit, then there will be no move for Chiesa, even if he is a serious option for the final days of the transfer market.
It's possible that Barcelona and Juventus could be getting closer on terms via his agent Fali Ramadani, but there is no direct contact between clubs at the moment. The Chiesa case remains as it was. No doubt Chiesa has other offers too, because he cannot stay at Juventus, and Ramadani is working on exit routes.
Barcelona centre-back spot amid Eric Garcia and Jonathan Tah rumours
In Sport, it was reported by Toni Juanmarti that there talks between Barcelona and Jonathan Tah's camp about a potential move. The Bayer Leverkusen defender is out of contract next summer, and was obviously heavily linked with Bayern Munich this year. It's not direct information that I have, I can imagine that Barcelona are in talks with his camp, but we're back to the same place with Barcelona, until they sort out their salary limit, it's impossible for them to pay €20-25m for a player. There are three days left, and it won't be easy.
As we were saying with Eric Garcia, he is a possible exit, and Girona remain interested in him, but they have not made an offer. Barcelona also need central defenders though. If Garcia leaves, maybe another might come in, but there has been no movement for Garcia yet. His future is not settled just yet though, and Girona could attempt a move.
RB Leipzig win Arthur Vermeeren's favour in move from Atletico Madrid
Ultimately, RB Leipzig are Arthur Vermeeren's choice. The Belgian midfielder had other options, Bayer Leverkusen, Olympique Marseille, other teams in Spain, but he chose Leipzig because he feels it is the best place for him to grow. He feels it's the best project for him. The fact Leipzig are putting in a mandatory buy option triggered by appearances is a show of their faith in him, and a sign they want to give him minutes, which is what he has not had at Atletico Madrid.
Vermeeren will join Leipzig on loan initially, with a €3m fee involved. Then if he hits a precise number of games, it will trigger a €20m buy clause. The deal is now closed for Vermeeren.
Premier League side has enquired for Alex Baena in recent weeks
Villarreal's Alex Baena has started off the season in fine form, forcing an own goal in their debut in 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid, before providing a beautiful assist for Arnaut Danjuma in their 2-1 win over Sevilla. This comes fresh off the back of a goal in the final of the Olympics against France, and a season leading La Liga for assists.
However it looks as if he will be staying put to be honest. At the beginning of the summer, Aston Villa enquired about him, but it hasn't gone any further. Then in recent weeks another Premier League side sounded out his availability, but he is a really important piece for them, and neither has a firm offer for him arrived.
Villarreal are a club where if you offer what they are asking, they would consider it, but that offer has not come in for him. He has a release clause of €60m. Lots of enquiries, above all from England, but nothing else has arrived at Villarreal's door.
Matteo Moretto will be back with more transfer news in the coming days, providing exclusive information on the biggest stories in Spain and Italy.
The post Matteo Moretto Transfer Column: Federico Chiesa, Arthur Vermeeren, Eric Garcia and Alex Baena appeared first on Football España.
