Barcelona working on ‘BIG SURPRISE’ transfer as Phillips wants deal

Robin Bairner

• 18 Jan 2024 13:00 GMT
• 2 min read

Barcelona may be cash-strapped but president Joan Laporta is working hard to ensure that LaLiga’s champions can still sign high-profile players.

According to Sport, Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips looks increasingly likely to join the Camp Nou side this January, while Barca are working on a “big surprise” deal in the summer as the club seeks to move on Robert Lewandowski.

Barcelona believe that they can sign Phillps this month to help replace the long-term injured Gavi in the midfield – but only under certain conditions.

Sport reports: “The club has been informed of his situation and knows that he has options because the midfielder views Barcelona very favourably. The operation would only be contemplated if the loan is free and only his fee must be paid, something that Man City do not consider for now.

“His profile and his type of play fit what Barcelona need and, furthermore, the player is willing to leave England if the option is Barca.”

Shock Rafael Leao rumour

Barcelona are looking to replace Lewandowski in the summer, and El Nacional reports that Laporta and sporting director Deco are brewing a major surprise in the form of AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.

It states: “The Portuguese, whose agent is Jorge Mendes, has decided to leave Milan, a club with which he has an agreement to change scene.

“Leao renewed his contract last summer, but with the promise that Milan would listen to offers above €60 million as long as the purchasing club was one the winger liked.”

While Barca are struggling financially, if they were able to sell Lewandowski for around his Estimated Transfer Value of €33m, they would recoup significant funds, while the Poland international also takes up a sizeable portion of the wage budget.

Nevertheless, more deals might need done in order to make sufficient room for a stellar signing like Leao.