Transfer News: Guillermo Varela addresses Barcelona speculation

Former Manchester United full-back Guillermo Varela has responded to speculation linking the Penarol star with a summer move to Barcelona.

Barcelona have been rumoured to be interested in a move for a Manchester United flop. According to reports, the Catalans have been linked with Uruguayan international Guillermo Varela, who currently plays for local side Penarol in Uruguay. The player has been linked with a move to team up with international teammate Luis Suarez at the club level as well.

Varela responded to the rumours of him being linked with a move to another big club after his Manchester United debacle. The Uruguayan admitted that a move to Barcelona would be a dream come true, but also iterated that there has been no contact whatsoever or none that he knows of in relation to the transfer.

Varela said, according to Spanish publication Marca, “I’ve read it but I haven’t asked Luis [Suarez], no-one has confirmed anything to me. Obviously yes [I’d be interested], it would be a dream to play for Barcelona and even more so with Suarez, it would be very nice. But I don’t want to think about that, I only want to think about Uruguay.”

Varela’s spell at Manchester United was highly unsuccessful, with the player being even loaned out to Real Madrid, who deployed the Uruguayan for their Castilla side. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old has since managed to resurrect his career following his return to Penarol and has become a mainstay for the Uruguayan National Team as well.

Barcelona, on the other hand, are in the market for a right-back. Nelson Semedo has failed to dethrone Sergi Roberto as the primary right-back for the club. The Portuguese will be handed another season to prove himself, but Barcelona will be looking to reinforce their right flank before the new season.

Varela has started the World Cup campaign on the right foot, with a clean sheet against Egypt and if all goes well, there might be plenty of suitors for the Uruguayan come the end of the event in Russia.

There are reports that Luis Suarez has put forth Varela’s name to the Barcelona board to consider when finalising their targets for the summer. Varela has already gone through a rough spell at a big club, which might put him off.

But, the prospect of returning to the big leagues, this time with more experience under his belt, could prove to be good. And who knows, Varela might become the next shining transfer from South America to Europe.