Barcelona agree transfer of Alien Halilovic to Hamburg

Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement with Bundesliga club Hamburg to sell Croatian starlet Alen Halilovic.

Alen Halilovic was touted to become one of the young Barcelona stars to make a breakthrough in the first-team setup at the club this season but by the look of things, he seems to be one his way out of the Camp Nou. Catalan Broadcasting Network and Goal have reported that Barcelona have agreed a deal with Bundesliga club Hamburg SV to sell the young sensation for a fee close to €5 million. The report states that the Croatian will be signing a four year contract with the German club.

The 20-year old has a few honours under his belt. He became the second youngest player to make a Champions League appearance, and is also the youngest debutant in the Croatian national side.

Halilovic joined the La Liga champions from Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb in May 2014 for a fee of €2.2 million, on a five-year contract. The youngster made his Barcelona first-team debut in January 2015 in a 4-0 victory over Elche in a Round of 16 Copa Del Rey match, but is yet to make his Liga BBVA debut. He was loaned out to Sporting Gijon for the entire 2015-16 campaign where he put in decent performances and notched up 3 goals and 5 assists from 36 league appearances.

Alen Halilovic has failed to make his Liga BBVA debut for Barcelona and would be looking to showcase his talent in Bundesliga with Hamburg SV (Picture Courtesy - AFP/Getty Images) — Alen Halilovic has failed to make his Liga BBVA debut for Barcelona and would be looking to showcase his talent in Bundesliga with Hamburg SV (Picture Courtesy – AFP/Getty Images)

It is reported that the Catalan club has inserted a buy-back clause on the deal that gives them option to bring Halilovic back to Camp Nou for €10 million at the end of his first season in the Bundesliga. This fee would then rise to €12.5 million on the closure of his second term. The report states that the youngster’s move to Hamburg comes after his transfer to Valencia broke down over the player’s wage demands.

The move may prove to be beneficial for both the player and the club as it will provide Halilovic a chance to play first-team football in a top European League. Barcelona would also be keeping a keen eye on the Croatian’s development and will pounce on the opportunity to bring him back to Spain if and when they deem fit.

Marquinhos pleased with Barcelona interest

Brazilian central defender Marquinhos has been admired by a host of European clubs with reported interest from Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United in the recent past. There have been reports linking the defender with a move to Barcelona despite the signing of French central defender Samuel Umtiti from Lyon.

ESPN have now reported that Marquinhos has come out and said that he is flattered by the reported interest from the Liga BBVA champions. The 22-year old although reiterated that his employers Paris Saint-Germain have no plans to let go of the defender.

Marquinhos has said he is flattered by Barcelona's interest but knows that PSG are unlikely to let him leave in the transfer window. (Picture Courtesy - AFP/Getty Images) — Marquinhos has said he is flattered by Barcelona’s interest but knows that PSG are unlikely to let him leave in the transfer window. (Picture Courtesy – AFP/Getty Images)

According to ESPN, Marquinhos told France Football: “It’s not easy. I’m happy that a club like Barca are interested in me – I can’t hide it. We’re talking about the biggest club in the world.”

The central defender was quick, though, in recognising PSG’s stance about a move away from the French champions, and when he was asked whether the statements meant there was a future deal in the pipeline, the Brazilian said: “No, not really. PSG are not selling.”

Marquinhos has found it tough to dislodge either of his Brazilian counterparts, Thiago Silva and David Luiz, and break into the starting XI at Paris Saint-Germain and could prefer a move to club like Barcelona. The Ligue 1 champions, though, are unwilling to sell and it seems likely that the 22-year old will have to stay in Paris and fight for his place in the starting XI in the upcoming season.