The Catalan’s sporting director announces transfer plans
Barcelona’s sporting director Robert Fernandez has confirmed that goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will leave the Camp Nou this week and join Manchester City.
Following questions from the media about the Chile goalkeeper’s future, Barca boss Luis Enrique refused to speculate that a deal had been agreed between the two clubs, just moments before Fernandez confirmed the transfer.
Bravo is understood to be keen on a move to the Etihad and link up with former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola, who has chosen to ditch Joe Hart in favour of Willy Caballero, until the Chilean’s expected arrival.
“We have an agreement in principle with Manchester City for Claudio Bravo. We are waiting for events this week. We will open the door for Claudio when we sign another goalkeeper.” said Fernandez.
“We were talking about his contract renewal when City’s offer arrived and the player told us that he wanted to think well about it, and evaluate other things. In the end we reached the principle of an agreement.”
Hart has been displaced as City’s number one so far this season, with Guardiola preferring Caballero, as the Spaniard is widely known to prefer a ball-playing keeper – an area of the England international’s game which is weak.
However, while Fernandez has confirmed a deal is in place, the move relies on the Catalan giants securing the signing of Ajax’s Jasper Cillessen, who is expected to arrive in a £12.1 million deal that will see him secure a five-year contract.
The Dutchman, who will compete with Marc-Andre ter Stegen as the first choice goalkeeper, was left out of Ajax’s fixture against Willem II, this weekend.
Ter Stegen, too, was a target for Guardiola, however, Barcelona refused to let go of the 24-year-old, who they believe has a big future at the Camp Nou, instead, preferring to allow Bravo to leave for the Etihad.
Bravo reportedly felt he could lose his place in Barcelona’s side this season, with Ter Stegen threatening to quit if he didn’t receive more first-team football.
However, for Hart, his future remains uncertain, with City reportedly keen to offload him before the end of the current transfer window, with Everton ready to take the England international on loan.
