Adama Traore is reportedly set to snub Tottenham Hotspur to rejoin Barcelona on a loan deal for the remainder of the season.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Adama Traore has made a last-minute change over the decision for his next destination. The Spanish international has rejected the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur to return to Barcelona on a loan deal for the rest of the season. The Catalan giants also have the option to buy him for €30 million.
Adama Traore spent his formative years at Barcelona but could never establish a foothold in the first-team setup at Camp Nou. The 26-year-old left his homeland to join Aston Villa in 2015, but the move to Villa Park was not a success either. After another unsuccessful stint at an English club with Middlesbrough, Traore joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2018.
While the Spaniard has not been prolific with his contributions to the Midlands club, he has still been an important member of the squad, both under Nuno Espirito Santo and Bruno Lage. Traore has managed a tally of 11 goals and 18 assists in 154 appearances for Wolves. But with less than 18 months left on his current deal, the player’s future has been the subject of widespread speculation.
Traore has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham, with recent reports even claiming that Spurs were on the verge of signing him. Antonio Conte had been keen on adding Traore to his squad to compete incumbent right wing-back Emerson Royal. But the Spanish international has now snubbed Tottenham and is poised to rejoin Barcelona instead.
Adama Traoré to Barcelona, done deal and here-we-go. Loan with buy option [not mandatory] for €30m plus bonuses. Barça will cover 100% of the salary until June. ?? #FCB
Deal to be signed on Friday, as per @David_Ornstein.
Enhorabuena a @martinezferran @gerardromero @sport ? pic.twitter.com/QQCIVpnSrD— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 27, 2022
The interest from Barcelona comes in the wake of the rampant uncertainties surrounding the future of Ousmane Dembele. While Barcelona CEO Mateu Alemany has already announced that the club will not offer the Frenchman a new deal after reaching a point of no return during negotiations, the player himself has insisted that he is committed to the Blaugrana.
With Dembele’s future at Barcelona not set in stone, the Catalan giants have been forced into the market to make a second attacking reinforcement after Ferran Torres. And Traore has emerged as a viable target for Barcelona, with the club quickly reaching an agreement to secure his services on a loan deal for the remainder of the season.
While Traore, who has had his heart set on returning to Barcelona for some time now, is not as prolific as Dembele, his directness will add a different dimension to their gameplay. The La Liga heavyweights also reserve the option to sign him permanently in the summer for €30 million.
According to The Athletic, his medical checks will be conducted on Friday, meaning his transfer to Barcelona could be completed well in time before Monday’s transfer deadline. As for Tottenham, Spurs must turn their attention elsewhere quickly to sign a new right wing-back or be left with Emerson and Matt Doherty as their only options in the position.
