Barcelona Will Battle Chelsea To Sign Alex Telles From Porto

In the last few days, much has been said of which areas of the pitch FC Barcelona wish to strengthen.

Striker Lautaro Martinez and winger Neymar are top priorities, costing $167-200mn and $120mn respectively, and there is also a desire for a strong, physical midfielder good at linking play.

Yesterday, it was relayed how, along the back line, Villarreal’s Pau Torres has caught the eye of sporting director Eric Abidal and can be acquired for a fee of $55mn if his release clause is paid. Barça don’t have this type of money, and will have to sell Samuel Umtiti, however his status alone as a World Cup winner could bring in this sum and more if sold to an outfit from the Premier League such as Arsenal and Manchester United.

Less discussed in recent times is what will happen at right back. Nelson Semedo started this season in top form, yet Abidal contacted his agent Jorge Mendes at the turn of the year to discuss a shock summer sale.

For a fee of $18mn, Emerson, La Liga’s top defensive provider of goals and assists, can be bought out of his contract at coach Quique Setien’s former club Real Betis.

Speaking of whom, Junior Firpo, who rose to prominence at the Seville club on Setien’s watch has been poor whenever given the nod as a back up to Jordi Alba over on the other flank.

Due to this, then, it has been reported this morning by SPORT that the Blaugrana have turned attention to Alex Telles, who has also been linked to Liverpool and Chelsea.

Scoring eight goals and providing five assists for Porto, in their reclinching of top spot from champions and previous leaders Benfica in the Portuguese Liga, the 27-year-old is just as impressive as compatriot Emerson heading forward.

Boasting an Italian passport, he would also not take up a non-EU spot needed for the Arthur, Arturo Vidal, and hopefully Neymar and Martinez next term.

All is needed to bring Telles to the Camp Nou is a fee of $44mn. But as from January 1, he can talk to whoever he wants given that his contract expires on June 30, 2021 and possibly be delivered on a free.

Given the noted interest from elsewhere however, it would be better for Barça to double down post-haste and guarantee that one of Europe’s in form left backs does not wind up at Stamford Bridge beforehand.

Missing the cut for the victorious squad that lifted the trophy at the Maracana last July, Telles would have been a strong candidate to feature for Brazil at this year’s Copa America had it not been postponed.

Filipe Luis getting on in years – not that that has stopped Dani Alves – with Alex Sandro and Marcelo out of sorts, Telles would have likely travelled to Argentina and Colombia alongside Atletico Madrid’s Renan Lodi in competition for the starting spot in their shared position.