Barcelona are preparing for their upcoming La Liga clash against Celta Vigo at Balaídos on Saturday, November 23, as they aim to maintain their strong position at the top of the table. However, the Catalan club is facing some challenges off the pitch, particularly in the transfer market.
Here are the key Barcelona transfer stories from November 21, 2024:
Barcelona Suffer Blow in Leroy Sane Pursuit
Leroy Sane has confirmed that he is in talks with Bayern Munich to extend his contract, which is set to expire in 2025. Barcelona had been eyeing the German forward as a potential addition to their attack, with the hope of bringing him to Camp Nou next year. However, Sane’s comments suggest that Bayern are keen to keep him, and he has expressed his comfort at the Allianz Arena.
Sane, 28, has had limited playing time under Vincent Kompany this season, scoring three goals in 11 appearances (two starts) across all competitions. Despite this, Sane has indicated that his future lies at Bayern, saying, “We are in talks, I feel comfortable in Munich. I feel really comfortable. Talks are very good. My focus is currently only on FC Bayern.”
Barcelona in Talks to Sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Barcelona are reportedly in discussions to sign Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in 2025, according to SPORT. Kvaratskhelia has become a star at Napoli, but the club has struggled to offer him a salary package that matches his rising value. The 23-year-old’s contract with Napoli runs until 2027, but his agents are negotiating for a better deal. Napoli has only offered him €5 million per year, which Kvaratskhelia has rejected.
With Barcelona monitoring the situation, they are believed to be interested in signing Kvaratskhelia, though Napoli is likely to demand around €80 million for their prized asset, making a move difficult for Barcelona. The player’s camp has reportedly made contact with Barcelona to gauge their interest, but no formal offer has been made yet.
Celta Vigo Eye Oscar Mingueza Contract Renewal Amid Barcelona Interest
Celta Vigo are reportedly planning to offer Oscar Mingueza a contract extension as Barcelona remains interested in bringing him back to Camp Nou. Mingueza, who came through Barcelona’s La Masia academy, joined Celta in 2022 but the Catalan club still holds 50% of his rights and can trigger a clause to sign him for half of his €20 million release clause.
Mingueza has been impressive for Celta this season, with two goals and five assists in 12 La Liga appearances, prompting speculation that he could return to Barcelona. However, Celta are eager to retain him and have reportedly approached Barcelona to purchase the player’s full rights. While talks are ongoing, Mingueza is not expected to be a priority for Barcelona, especially given the current form of Jules Koundé at right-back.
Conclusion
Barcelona’s pursuit of top talents like Leroy Sane and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia continues to make headlines, but both transfers face significant challenges. Sane’s extension talks with Bayern Munich have complicated matters, while Kvaratskhelia’s €80 million price tag could make him out of reach for Barcelona. Meanwhile, the club is keeping an eye on Oscar Mingueza, though a return to Camp Nou seems unlikely at this stage due to competition in defense.
As Barcelona prepares for their La Liga match against Celta Vigo, all eyes will be on how these transfer stories develop over the coming months.
