Barcelona are reportedly preparing a €30m bid in a final attempt to sign Spanish forward Paco Alcacer from Valencia.
Spanish publication Marca have claimed on Tuesday that Barcelona are preparing a final assault to sign Valencia forward Paco Alcacer. The report added that Barcelona remain in the market in search of a striker as Luis Enrique is keen to add a forward to the squad as cover for Uruguayan superstar Luis Suarez.
It is reported that the Barcelona manager is eyeing a deal for Paco Alcacer and has the backing of the hierarchy at Nou Camp who are prepared to provide the resources for Enrique to add to his squad. Marca have reported that Valencia could see a bid close to €30m being tabled by the defending Liga BBVA champions in the near future, as they seek to add the 22-year-old before the transfer window closes.
Barcelona started their campaign with a thumping 6-2 win over Real Betis with Luis Suarez scoring a hat-trick. But there is a general concern as to the unavailability of a forward in the squad who is capable of being an able cover for Luis Suarez, who can replace the Uruguayan in the first-team lineup in case the former Liverpool striker suffers from injury or fatigue during the season.
Valencia, on the other hand, started the season on a disappointing note, losing in a high-scoring game to Las Palmas. The sale of Paco Alcacer after the departures of other exciting prospects could result in the club facing the fury of the fans. The supporters consider the striker as one of their own after graduating from the academy at the club.
Marca have reported that while Director of Football at Valencia, Jesus Garcia Pitarch, has said that Paco Alcacer is not available for sale, the silence of owner Peter Lim on the matter could give Barcelona a slight hope of securing a deal for the 22-year-old.
Barcelona are unlikely to settle before finding an able cover for Suarez and Paco Alcacer could turn out to be the perfect fit for the club. The player also fits the profile of the type of players the Catalan giants are reportedly targeting to bring to the Nou Camp as per the Head of Professional Sports at Barcelona, Albert Soler.
Paco Alcacer scored 13 goals and registered 6 assists in 34 Liga BBVA appearances last season for Valencia and has been a constant feature in the starting lineup for the club (stats via whoscored). The Spanish international is not likely to force a move away from the club but Valencia might be tempted to sell the 22-year-old if Barcelona come knocking with an offer that the hierarchy feels is too good to turn down.
