Transfer News: Barcelona eyeing a move for Celta Vigo superstar Iago Aspas

Spanish champions Barcelona have been linked with a move for Iago Aspas, with Gerard Pique favouring the former Liverpool striker.

According to latest reports from Spanish news outlet, Don Balon, FC Barcelona could make a move for Iago Aspas in the upcoming transfer window. The Celta Vigo striker has been one of the most impressive attackers in European football this season and could soon make a big money move this summer.

Aspas, who is a product of Celta’s youth academy, rejoined Celta Vigo in the summer of 2015 from Sevilla. Since his return to Galicia, the former Liverpool man has emerged as one of Spain’s most lethal attackers. During his recent three year stint with Celta, the Spaniard has notched up as many as 57 goals in just 101 games.

Following his 14-goal tally in the 2015/16 season, he has only grown better, scoring 19 goals in the following season. However, Aspas was at a whole new level last season where he scored 24 goals in 34 games, helping his club secure a mid-table finish. With that being said, the 30-year-old has won very little silverware throughout his professional career with 2014/15’s Europa League triumph with Sevilla remaining his only major trophy.

Therefore, a move out of Galicia this summer is not that far-fetched considering the fact that the Spaniard is now attracting interest from one of the biggest teams in European football. In fact, Barcelona’s very own Gerard Pique is desperate for the club to sign Iago Aspas as a replacement for Paco Alcacer.

Alcacer, who joined the Catalans for a fee of €30m in the summer of 2016, has failed to impress the Barcelona fans during his two-year stint at Camp Nou, often being overshadowed by the presence of some of the best-attacking talents in world football.

The 24-year-old scored only ten league goals for FC Barcelona, making him a potential candidate who could leave the club this summer. A recent report even claimed that the Barca striker was targeted by Southampton while other clubs could soon queue up for his signature.

Iago Aspas, on the other hand, could be an excellent replacement for Paco Alcacer. Unlike the former Valencia starlet, Aspas is already 30 years old, meaning he is more likely to be content with sitting in as a backup for the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez when compared to Alcacer. In addition, the Spaniard has been in incredible form in the past few years. He has also proved that he can play at the top level as well, making him a perfect fit for a club like Barcelona.

The report from Don Balon also claims that Barcelona won’t have to spend a lot of sum for Iago Aspas either, which would be a sigh of relief for the Catalan giants. However, the 30-year-old does have a contract with Celta Vigo till 2021.