Olympique de Marseille could help FC Barcelona gain financial leeway by recruiting one of its central defenders, according to Spanish media.
The Blaugrana have not yet fully overcome their financial difficulties and if they want to recruit or simply downsize their squad, they will have to sell some players. Particularly at centre-back, there are several candidates who could still be sold.
Samuel Umtiti’s contract has already been terminated – after the World Cup winner compared his time at Barcelona to a time in prison – and he has joined Lille in Ligue 1. Two other FC Barcelona elements could follow Umtiti into the French league.
According SPORT, Marseille are interested in Clément Lenglet and Eric Garcia. The Ligue 1 side have already invested significantly in their squad this summer in order to be in a position to challenge for the title next season, having finished third last term. But signing the Barcelona players could prove difficult.
good relationships
The aforementioned report states that Marseille will probably only be able to sign one player among Lenglet and Garcia, and it’s likely to be the latter as Lenglet’s salary demands are considered too high for the French club. Indeed, the player, who was loaned last season to Tottenham, is in favor of a transfer to the Premier League.
Garcia is a more realistic target and Barcelona would be happy to rid him of his wage bill, but the player would like to stay at Camp Nou.
The fact that Barcelona and Marseille have a good relationship, Matheu Alemany and Pablo Longoria having been colleagues at Valencia, is a favorable element for any potential negotiations.
