FC Barcelona News: 16 May 2019

Barca digging in over De Ligt contract offer | Marca
Barcelona are playing hardball over Matthijs de Ligt. The Blaugrana have told the player’s people that they are sticking to the offer they made a few weeks ago and they will not increase it, despite the pressure they have received to do so. Mina Raiola, the player’s agent, believes De Ligt’s value has increased over the last few weeks and is looking for a better contract.

De Ligt refuses to announce his departure with De Jong: I have to think things through | Marca
Matthijs de Ligt wasn’t giving away any hints about his future after clinching the Eredivisie title with Ajax on Wednesday night. The centre-back has been linked with a move to Barcelona or a Premier League side after proving himself on the European stage as Ajax captain this season.

Barcelona ‘further away’ from Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt | Football Espana
Barcelona are ‘further away’ from completing the signing of Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt compared to last month, according to a report in El Mundo Deportivo. The 19-year-old has been the captain of the Amsterdam-based club for over a year and has starred for club and country.

Barcelona defender Nelson Semedo considers England, Italy | Football Espana
Barcelona full-back Nelson Semedo is considering a summer exit from the club amid interest from England and Italy, according to Marca. The Portugal international has started less than half (36) La Liga matches since his arrival at the Camp Nou in the summer of 2017.Semedo joined in a €35m deal from Benfica and whilst he is the

Atletico Madrid will not negotiate with Barca for Griezmann | Sport
Enrique Cerezo, Atletico Madrid president, spoke to RAC1 about Antoine Griezmann. The president made it clear that “we’re not going to negotiate at all. The player has a contract and as he doesn’t want to continue at Atletico, you have to deposit his release fee. It doesn’t interest us how or who, just receiving it.”

Antoine Griezmann not replacing Philippe Coutinho at Barcelona, says Brazilian’s agent | Sky Sports
But Andrea Bertolucci, Coutinho’s representative, insists the 26-year-old will not be leaving the Nou Camp if Griezmann is signed. ”It’s untrue that Griezmann is going to replace Philippe at Barcelona,” Bertolucci told Spanish newspaper AS.

Laporta: The price tag for Griezmann is too much and Barcelona’s fans don’t want him | Marca
Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has expressed his unease with the potential arrival of Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann at the Camp Nou. Laporta has indicated that the Frenchman is overpriced, and that the Catalan club’s supporters do not approve of his move to Barcelona.

Frenkie De Jong wins Johan Cruyff talent award | FC Barcelona
Ajax star Frenkie De Jong, who will be joining FC Barcelona from next July 1, has won the Johan Cruyff Trophy, which since 1984 has been presented to the best player under the age of 21 years in the top two divisions of Dutch football. Originally known as the Dutch Football Talent of the Year (Nederlands Voetbal Talent van het Jaar), it was renamed the Johan Cruijff Prijs in 2003.

Barcelona ponder Manchester United teen Angel Gomes | Football Espana
Barcelona are monitoring the possibility of a deal for rising Manchester United star Angel Gomes, according to reports. The Manchester Evening News claims the 18-year-old is on the Blaugrana’s radar and they are contemplating a summer move.

Source: barcablaugranes.com