Rumor Round-up: Riqui Puig, Neymar, Rakitic

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The latest Barcelona transfer rumors are here.

Zaragoza want Puig

Second division club Real Zaragoza have approached Barcelona with a loan offer for young midfielder Riqui Puig, according to local newspaper Periódico de Aragón. Manager Víctor Fernández has reportedly told Barça that his style of play will fit well with Puig’s skills, and that a jump from the third division with Barça B to a tier above would help his development.

Madrid join Barça in Neymar race

More Neymar stories! All the papers in Madrid and Catalonia were on fire on Friday with reports that both teams are interested in the Brazilian and will submit offers soon. Real Madrid are serious about Neymar now that Manchester United are unlikely to sell Paul Pogba, which was Zinedine Zidane’s number one priority this summer.

The Catalan papers really want Neymar to return to Camp Nou, and they say that the club is aware of Madrid’s interest but remains confident that the player only wants a move to Barça. The club is also willing to wait until the end of the transfer window to get a cheaper deal as the only bidders, which is why they haven’t made any serious offers up to this point.

Rakitic upset by transfer rumors

Mundo Deportivo report that Ivan Rakitic is not a happy man after seeing his name constantly involved in transfer rumors. The Croatian loves playing for Barça and wants to fight for his position despite knowing that Ernesto Valverde wants to go younger in midfield and focus on Frenkie De Jong, Arthur, Sergi Roberto and Carles Aleñá.

Rakitic is also not a fan of his constant links with PSG as part of the Neymar deal, and feels like he’s more than just a trade piece.

Source: barcablaugranes.com