Barcelona defender Álvaro Cortés don kon set to join Belgian side Royal Antwerp for €3 million. The young center-back go dey get regular playing time, and coach Hansi Flick don explain why e dey allow am go.
Flick talk to press on Sunday, e say the move na good step for Cortés because e go get more game time wey e no fit get for Barça this season. According to am, him no fit offer the young defender the chance to dey play week-in-week-out. Playing for Barça B no be option, so e better make e go another club.
The coach also hint say Barcelona go dey look for replacement. “We dey always look at wetin we fit do, right up to the end of transfer window,” Flick yarn. “Álvaro don take step forward, but we need to analyze the situation.” E add say Cortés fit improve for another league at this age.
Cortés departure na tori wey surprise some fans because Flick don always talk well about the youngster. But Barcelona get buy-back clause for the deal with Antwerp. This one mean say dem fit bring am back for reasonable price if dem want.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona don reactivate the centre-back search. Deco, the sporting director, dey work on new defender after e bin stop am during the push for Julián Álvarez. Now that Cortés go, the club fit move for another centre-back.
Jorge Salinas na the first option for Barcelona, but Racing bin demand €16 million release clause, so the deal no work. Now, different names dey for Deco table, including Dutch defender Rood Nistad. The club dey search for young left-footed player wey fit suit Hansi Flick style.
Barcelona also dey try to settle departure of Héctor Fort, Marc Casadó, Gerard, and Toni Fernández. All these players no dey Flick plan, so the club want trim squad and free space.
For the Julián Álvarez matter, the deal with Atlético Madrid no look possible now. Atlético refuse to negotiate, but Barcelona no close door until window shut.
